Kim attends UN Millennium Summit

Following his abortive meeting with Kim Yong-Nam, chairman of the presidium of the North Korean Supreme People`s Assembly, President Kim Dae-Jung has embarked on an active diplomatic effort to determine the truth behind the incident and prevent the deterioration of relations between the United States and North Korea. Kim is now in New York to participate in the UN Millennium Summit.

President Kim is scheduled to hold talks with his U. S. counterpart, Bill Clinton, on September 7. The two men will exchange opinions on the development of the Seoul-Pyongyang relationship and measures to cope with the recent incident that led to Kim Yong-Nam`s cancellation of his trip to the U. S.

Kim Ha-Joong, chief presidential advisor for diplomacy and national security, said in a press interview that U.S.-N.K. relations could be restored if Washington`s position not to worsen its ties with the North is conveyed to the communist state. He predicted that the diplomatic row between the two countries would not exert a negative influence on inter-Korean relations.

Noting that Clinton`s invitation to Kim Yong-Nam for his reception, the only one issued to a leader from the "rogue states," reflected his favorable stance toward Pyongyang, the presidential advisor said that his government regrets Kim`s failure to attend the summit.

Chong Wa Dae spokesman Park Joon-Yung said in an official comment that President Kim was frustrated by the cancellation of his meeting with the North Korean leader, but stated that ongoing inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation should not be affected by the incident. At the same time, he expressed hope that the incident would not stand in the way of the improvement of U. S.-N.K. relations.

The President attended the opening session of the UN Millennium Summit held at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday night, which was attended by leaders from 163 countries. At the second session slated for Wednesday morning, the millennium summit will adopt a joint communique welcoming the June 15 inter-Korean summit and follow-up measures.