ASEM considers inviting N. Korea to Seoul in Oct.

For the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled for Oct. 18-21 in Seoul, a revision is in the works to allow non-member North Korea to take part in cooperation projects in the fields of education, tourism, information communication, and economy.

"During the ASEM meeting last month in Bangkok, the meeting of officials from the Asian countries have decided to adopt a revision in the ASEM constitution to allow a non-member nation to participate in cooperation projects," an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Aug. 13. "European leaders are warm to the idea as well."

If this revision is adopted in October this year, North Korea will be able to participate in the professor and student exchange programs with other nations, and participate in the high-speed communication network enterprise between Europe and Asia. North Korea also will be allowed to offer Mount Kumkang and Kaesong tour packages to the ASEM tourism project.