U.S. House of Representatives Invited Hwang Jang-Yop

U.S. Congresspersons Henry Hyde, chairperson of the House International Relations Committee, and Christopher Cox, chairperson of the House Policy Committee recently invited Hwang Jang-Yop, secretary of the Labor Party of the North, to give testimony of North Korea in the U.S.

However, the government would not immediately allow his trip to the U.S. for the sake of the secure security guarantees of Mr. Hwang from the U.S. government.

Chairperson Hyde invited Mr. Hwang in his letter on June 29, which reads ``we would like you to visit the Committee in the weeks after July 20 and share your experiences and insights with us.`` Chairperson Cox also delivered his paper on June 28, requesting for the Hwang`s attendance in the House on July 19 or 26.

The letters of invitation were directly delivered to Mr. Hwang by Jim Doran, aide of Sen. Jessie Helms, and Chuck Downs, aide of Rep. Cox in Seoul, July 1.

Previously, Sen. Helms invited Mr. Hwang in November last year but the Hwang`s trip to the U.S. was not accomplished.

Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Service announced yesterday that ``Hwang`s trip to the U.S. requires of the sufficient preparatory reviews for the secure security guarantee from the U.S. and Korean governments. This is such an issue for the Korean and the U.S. government to cooperate closely with each other.``

A government official revealed that `` President Kim Dae-Jung said at his visit to the U.S., the government will allow his trip to the U.S. whenever the security of Mr. Hwang is guaranteed by the U.S. However, it seems that the security matter was not discussed by the U.S. administration and the Congress.``

Regarding the controversies about the Hwang`s trip to the U.S. Jang Kwang-Geun, chief spokesperson of the Grand National Party, said in his announcement that ``if the government`s North Korean policy is right and fair, there is no reason for the government to prevent Mr. Hwang from his visit to the U.S. The government should allow Mr. Hwang`s trip to the U.S. immediately.``

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com