Jimmy Carter to visit NK with 3 other ex-heads of state

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s visit to North Korea from Tuesday through Thursday will be different from his previous trips in that he will travel with three other heads of state.

Carter`s 12-member group, nicknamed "The Elders," comprises former presidents Martti Ahtisaari of Finland and Mary Robinson of Ireland and ex-Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland.

The group`s members have a combined 500 years of diplomatic know-how and negotiation experience. The Huffington Post said that given their ability, “it will take more than silver-tongued rhetoric.”

Should the delegation fail to make a breakthrough, however, it will not only embarrass individual members but also dent the group’s reputation.

Carter told a news conference at Beijing`s Raffles Hotel Monday that he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his son Jong Un during his visit, adding, "We have no indication that we will do so, but it would be a pleasure if we could.”

He said the visit is aimed at food aid, denuclearization of North Korea, and human rights but did not say whether he carried a letter from U.S. President Barack Obama.

On Jun Yong-su, a Korean-American pastor detained in North Korea, the former president said he has no plans to discuss the matter with the North.

Seoul is not pinning big hopes on the visit of Carter`s group to Pyongyang, believing that it is unlikely to bring a significant message that can push forward talks on denuclearization since the visit is a personal one.

The Elders say they have a “modest” goal but the group is expected to produce their own achievements to save face.

Brundtland is a commissioner of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.

Unlike his previous visit to the North, Carter and his group seem to want to apply pressure on Pyongyang. Experts say Kim Jong Il will likely meet them to put on a political show for the world.

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