World Bank may aid N. Korea

Japan`s Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported July 23 that the World Bank might provide economic aid to North Korea if its political environment improves, including a resolution to the question about missile development.

James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, told the newspaper that he had made such remarks to President Kim Dae-Jung when he exchanged views about the Korean peninsula with Kim on the eve of the historic summit meeting between Kim and his North Korean counterpart.

Wolfensohn said that the World Bank, which has the mission of tackling poverty, might have to pay attention to North Korea as far as economic matters are concerned. "South Korea and Japan are required play a major role in building a political environment (for economic aid to North Korea)," he said.

Paying strong attention to the Russian-North Korean summit July 19, Wolfensohn said that he would watch the upcoming situation, including North Korea`s suspension of missile development.