Kims resume talks on families, economy

PYONGYANG, JUNE 14. The leaders of North and South Korea today started a second round of face-to-face talks, the second day of a ground-breaking summit aimed at easing half a century of cold war tensions on the divided peninsula. Television footage of the start of the meeting, which began at 3 p.m. (1130 IST), showed a relaxed, smiling Mr. Kim Jong-Il making small talk with the South Korean President, Mr. Kim Dae-jung.

Mr. Kim Dae-jung was expected to urge the North to permit reunions of more than a million families separated when the Korean war broke out 50 years ago, South Korean journalists in Pyongyang said.

He was also likely to invite Mr. Kim Jong-Il to Seoul for a return summit and emphasise the need for a continuing government- level dialogue between the estranged neighbours, who have been technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean war ended in an armed truce but not a permanent peace, the reports said.

Mr. Kim Dae-jung is accompanied by 50 South Korean journalists, as well as 130 businessmen and officials. But overseas reporters were barred from the summit, the first between leaders of the two countries since they were separated in 1948.

The two Kims were also expected to discuss details of economic cooperation, particularly how Seoul can help rebuild the North's shattered infrastructure.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kim discussed with North Korea's titular President, Mr. Kim Yong-nam, possible road and rail projects plus steps to boost investment in the Communist North, where living standards are about a tenth of those in the bustling capitalist South.

In a despatch from Pyongyang, China's official Xinhua news agency quoted a North Korean official as saying agreements on investment protection and the prevention of double taxation would be signed later on Wednesday to help spur closer economic ties.

The three South Korean Cabinet Ministers accompanying the President - the Ministers of Finance, Unification and Culture and Information - held separate meetings with their counterparts today.

Diplomats said South Korea might broach the idea of forming joint Korean teams for international sports events, or at least marching together under a unification flag in opening ceremonies.

Mr. Kim Dae-jung's immediate priority is to give some of the seven million South Koreans, many of them old, with relatives or ancestors in the North the chance to visit family members they have not seen for half a century.

``The President said that he thinks the important thing is to reach agreements on matters that can easily be put into practice, though small, and to implement them one by one,'' said the presidential spokesman, Mr. Park Joon-young, in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

The warmth of the first day of talks, when an estimated one million people thronged the capital to greet Mr. Kim, drew a positive reaction in North and South alike.

``The airport and streets of the capital city of Pyongyang were wrapped in an atmosphere of warm welcome,'' said North Korea's official news agency.

South Korea's progressive Hankyoreh newspaper commented: ``Citizens in Seoul seem to have had a change of heart about Kim after seeing him on TV with his bright smile and confident gestures guiding Kim Dae-jung.'' But it said Pyongyang needs to reach out if the two Koreas are to overcome their troubled past, a stance also taken by the influential and traditionally conservative Chosun Ilbo .

``The success of the summit depends on North Korea's attitude regarding its survival and its openness,'' the Chosun said in an editorial. ``North Korea should turn their interests to economic development and in order for that to happen, peace on the peninsula is a precondition.''

Around the world, the positive mood of the summit spurred hopes of eventual reunification, with Washington and Moscow leading the applause.

``I think the fact that the two leaders are meeting is extraordinarily important... We were heartened to see the warm welcome that President Kim received,'' said the White House spokesman, Mr. Joe Lockhart, in Washington.

The U.N. Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, said he hoped the summit would mark a turning point towards lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, leading to national reunification.

Russia also welcomed the meeting, which comes weeks before the President, Mr. Vladimir Putin's planned visit to the isolated North.

``It encourages hopes for a constructive dialogue between the two countries,'' the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Losyukov, told Interfax news agency.

- Reuters

'I am no hermit'

PYONGYANG, JUNE 14. The North Korean leader, Mr. Kim Jong-Il, often described as reclusive because of his rare appearance in public, thanked the visiting South Korean President, Mr. Kim Dae- jung, today for proving he's not a hermit.

``Some Europeans say I live like a hermit,'' Mr. Kim Jong-Il told the South Korean President at the start of their second round of face-to-face talks.

``I've been to China, Indonesia and many countries. But your visit has allowed to break out of seclusion. I thank you for that.''

The two leaders also chatted about Kimchi, Korea's best known cuisine abroad.

The South Korean President said he had some cold buckwheat noodles for lunch, arguably North Korea's most renowned dish.

North Korea's Kim, speculating that his South Korean guest may have had to rush through his meal, said: ``You have to slow down when you eat buckwheat noodles.'' Mr. Kim Jong-Il also said he watched with keen interest South Korean television broadcasts about the landmark summit last night.

``It seems our compatriots (in the South) also welcome the visit. And there was some perspectives about the visit (on the broadcast) that were introduced to me, as well,'' the North Korean leader said.

``It was a courageous decision by you to visit the North,'' Mr. Kim Jong-Il said. ``I hope we were polite enough with you.''

- Reuters

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