NK, Russia to Hold Summit Today

North Korea leader Kim Jong-il, who is visiting Russia`s Far East, is trying to become intimate with Russian people. It seems to be an attempt to dispel his negative image, which was made due to excessive protection by his guards and his unpredictable behavior in his visit to Russia last year.

Kim made an apology to Putin`s regional representative Konstantin Pulikovsky, saying that the Russian people are having inconveniences because of my staying here. Embarrassed Pulikovsky asked him not to mind since few heads of states visit the Far East region.

In another bid to dispel his negative image, Kim visited a summer camp for children in a Russian island on the 22nd and watched a performance of children. He went as far as to invite 100 Russian children to North Korea on the spot.

Kim is also scheduled to visit a cultural center for children in Vladivostok on the 23th.

On the 22nd, he visited a Russian Orthodox church for the first time in Khabarovsk.

He is expected to visit a national university in Vladivostok on the 24th.

Meanwhile, in response to his reported fear of flying since he used a train whenever he visits foreign countries. Regarding this, Kim said, "A travel by train is better to see a lot of thins than a travel by air. I will come to Moscow by air next year."

Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com