The South Korean government has decided not to send state officials to North Korea to offer their condolences over the death of Kim Jong Il.
Minister of Unification Ryu Woo Ik revealed the news to a press conference at the Blue House today.
However, “Our policy is to allow the surviving family of the late President Kim Dae Jung and late Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Mong Hun to visit North Korea to offer their condolences.” Accordingly, the former first lady, Lee Hui Ho, and current Hyundai Group President Hyun Jeong Eun will be permitted to travel North Korea.
Minister of Unification Ryu added, “The government conveys its sympathies to the North Korean people over the death of its leader Kim Jong Il. We hope that North Korea will swiftly return to equilibrium so that South and North may work together.”
In addition, “The government is managing the situation thoroughly, working closely with our allies so that Korean Peninsula peace is not disrupted by the sudden death of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il.”
“The military while stay on high alert to prepare for every possible situation. As of yet, we have not found any signs of abnormality in North Korea.”
However, due to the unstable situation inside North Korea, the government has decided to cancel the lighting of Christmas trees at three locations along the inter-Korean border.
