North Economics Delegation Visits South Tomorrow

Chang Sang-taek, a high-ranking official of North Korea`s communist party, is scheduled to visit Seoul for nine days starting Oct. 26th. He is also the brother-in-law of North Korean leader Kim Jung Il. Along with him comes a delegation of officials to visit various plants.

Chang is known to be one of the closest aids to Kim Jung Il. He is the husband of Kim Jung Il`s sister Kim Kyung-hee, and accompanied Kim to Russia. It draws attention whether Chang will meet President Kim Dae Jung, when he visits.

On Oct. 24th, the government announced the profile of 18 North Korean delegates and their official schedule.

North`s delegation is led by Park Nam-gi, the chairman of the National Planning Board, and consists of high-ranking officials, including 5 minister-level figures like Chang, Kim Hee-teak, Park Bong-joo and Song Ho-kyung.

The delegation plans to stay for three days in Seoul, and will embark on their tour of industrial sites and plants throughout Daejun, Daegoo, Busan, Kwangjoo and Chejoo. They will also visit some historic places. Among the destinations included are one nuclear plant and Changwon Industrial Complex.

This visit will be the first one in ten years since 1992. In July of 1992, a North`s delegation led by Kim Dal-hyun visited for 8 days.

Kwang-Hyun Kim Dong-Ki Sung kkh@donga.com esprit@donga.com