Russia Urged NK for Inter-Korean Summit Talk

Kim Jong-Il, the North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairman, who is visiting Russia, will have an exclusive and expanded summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the current issues of the two countries today.

Diplomatic sources reported that the two leaders will discuss the economic and military cooperation of the two nations, connection of the Trans Korea Railroad and the Trans Siberia Railroad, Inter-Korean dialogue, NK`s missile development in the NK-Russia summit talks. After the summit talk, the two leaders will announce the `Moscow Joint Declaration` based on the previous agreement on the current issues of the two countries that they had reached during the Putin`s visit to Pyongyang in July last year. The two countries will conclude some other agreements including the Railroad Cooperation Agreement.

Chairperson Kim arrived at the Yaroslavskoye Station in Moscow late on Aug. 3 (yesterday morning in Korean Standard Time). Kim Jong-Il will visit the second largest city of Russia Saint Petersburg on August 6 after he meet Vladimir Putin once more tomorrow.

A Korean government authority said that ``Russia will try to show off its influences on both Koreas through this NK-Russia summits. Therefore, Russia is expected to mention the second Inter-Korean summit talks and to re-confirm the support of Russia to the Inter-Korean dialogue that both Koreas will satisfy.`` The Kyoto Communication in Japan reported from Russia that Russia President Vladimir Putin will probably urge NK leader Kim Jong-Il to hold the second Inter-Korean summit talks as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Kim Jong-Il will depart Moscow for home on Aug. 8th after participating in a cultural event on Aug. 7th. He will have a summit talk today and meet with the Speaker of the Russia`s House of Representatives tomorrow and will visit Saint Petersburg on Aug. 7.

Consequently, he is expected to arrive in the North on Aug. 15, which is three days earlier than the original return schedule.

kimkihy@donga.com