2 Koreas hold high-level talks; 1st in 2 yrs

Slides
Photos

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-22 15:39

DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's aide Kim Ki-nam (3rd L), secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, leading the Pyongyang delegation bow to a portrait of deceased former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung at a memorial altar at the National Assembly in Seoul August 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hyun told reporters after the meeting the two sides discussed various inter-Korean issues, but did not elaborate.

"After meeting with several people (in the South) I felt the imperative need for North-South relations to improve," Kim told Hyun during a brief photo session, Yonhap news agency reported.

"I hope for frank discussions given that the meeting is the first high-level meeting since this government," Kim said, referring to President Lee's administration.

The conservative, pro-American Lee took office in February 2008 vowing to take a tougher line on Pyongyang and tying aid to progress on its denuclearization.

On Friday, the black-clad Pyongyang officials lit incense, bowed their heads and laid a floral wreath before a large portrait of the late Kim at a memorial site on the grounds of the National Assembly, where the funeral will be held. The delegation was the first Pyongyang ever sent to mourn a South Korean leader.

Hyun expressed gratitude for the DPRK delegation.

Kim, who died Tuesday at age 85, held a landmark summit with DPRK leader Kim in 2000.

The meeting Saturday was the latest indication that DPRK wants to improve relations on the peninsula after months of tensions. The nation recently pulled out of nuclear negotiations, conducted an atomic test and test-fired a barrage of missiles, earning international condemnation and UN sanctions.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang released two detained US reporters and a South Korean worker, but it continued to hold four ROK fishermen whose boat was seized last month after it strayed into northern waters.

Pyongyang also agreed to allow the resumption of some joint inter-Korean projects suspended amid tensions with Seoul, and said it would lift restrictions on cross-border traffic in place since December and resume cargo train service across the border.

Previous page 1 2 Next Page