[imText1]Following the first summit preparatory meeting held at Kaesung on the 14th, vice-Minister of Unification Lee Kwan Seh revealed that the South Korean delegates of the talks would visit the North via private cars.
Accordingly, President Roh Moo Hyun will take the Western Sea highway (connecting Pyongyang to Kaesung) in a personal car and travel directly to Pyongyang. Compared to the first Inter-Korea Summit, the number of South Korean delegates has increased by 20 members with the confirmed number staff totaling 202.
However, regarding the topics of agenda he said, “Wouldn’t the fundamentals of the South-North Agreement provide the basis of discussions” and remarked, “Wouldn’t it be odd to discuss issues that need to be addressed at the summit at the preparatory meeting.”
The agreement states that South and North summit would be based on the July 15 Mutual Declaration going beyond the South-North relationship and opening up a new nation by ensuring peace, mutual democracy and unification on the Korean Peninsula.
However, the preparatory discussions for the agenda of the summit talks are not going according to plan with speculations that another agreement between the South and North is being schemed.
Meanwhile, the South Korean government insinuates that another high level cabinet talks could be arranged to discuss alternative issues after the summit.
Vice-Minister Lee said, “Representatives from the South will visit Pyongyang and return to Seoul using the Western Sea Line (Pyongyang~Kaesung Highway)” and added, “The Western Sea Line passes through Kaesung.”
Alternatively, the South suggested to use the Kyungui Railroad to visit the North with the success of the test rail-run in May, however, the North denied approval justifying various national issues.
Lee said, “President Roh will visit the North in a private car and use this vehicle throughout the duration of the summit” and revealed, “A patrol car has also been agreed to accompany the vehicle while an agreement will be made regarding the issue of vehicles for attendants, official and special staff.”
Regarding the advance party from the South to prepare for the summit he said, “The preparatory team consists of 30 members from the South and will be sent 7 days prior to the summit and the list of names announced 4 days prior” and added, “The preparatory team will visit the North taking the Western Sea Line which passes through Kaesung. The itinerary and specific administrative details regarding the preparatory team will be agreed by both parties once the team has arrived in the North.”
Regarding a visit to Kaesung Industrial Complex by South-North Summit delegates during the talks, Lee said, “North Korea is the inviting party and hence we will comply to what their ideas are first” and added “We have not yet reached that stage as yet.”
On the other hand, North Korea is currently deliberating on a number of ideal locations for the summit duration and has promised to inform the South once the schedule has been confirmed. While there are rumors that North Korea will request that a visit be made to Mt. Keumsoo Memorial Palace, the Memorial of Kim Il Sung, Lee commented, “No such remarks have been made.”
South and North Korea have agreed to meet again on the 16th to discuss 4 issues regarding formalities, security, communication and the media.
