Kim Jong-Il wants to see Mt. Halla sunrise

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il said that Pyongyang will immediately start construction on its railways if South Korea begins work to connect the Kyongui railway with the North. He suggested that the two sides set a construction date in the upcoming ministerial talks.

He said that 35,000 troops stationed along the 38th parallel would be mobilized to begin construction as soon as a date is set.

The South Korean media representatives reported the statements issued by the North Korean leader in a luncheon in Pyongyang on Saturday through the Korean Newspapers Association and other media organizations.

According to reports, Chairman Kim said that the Communist party charter calling for the communization of the entire peninsula by force could be changed. But he adamantly refused to tie the revision of North Korean security legislation with that of South Korea, saying that South Korea`s national security law has nothing to do with the North.

Chairman Kim agreed to an exchange of 100 tourists between North Korea¡¯s Mt. Paekdu and South Korea¡¯s Mt. Halla within the year, adding that he would like to see the sunrise on Mt. Halla.

He also said that two more reunions between separated families would take place in September and October and, after an overall assessment next year, he would launch an effort to make the reunions a more regular event. Chairman Kim said that he would try to allow separated family members to visit the homes of their relatives on the other side.

As for the chairman¡¯s promised visit to Seoul, he commented that he would make the trip at an appropriate time. He noted that visiting President Kim in Seoul was his priority rather than attending the Sydney Olympics with President Kim, adding that he did not plan to go to the Olympics.