ULD President Kim JP Going to Visit North Korea Next Month

United Liberal Democrats (ULD) President Kim Jong-pil may visit North Korea next month to discuss issues of mutual concern including Pyongyang`s nuclear weapons development programs, according to his chief secretary Byun Ung-jun Friday.

The chief secretary Byun said in a press conference Friday, “The visit will take place within May and the exact timing will be determined next week. The ULD president will send a strong message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to avoid another war on the Korean Peninsular. And, in the conservative perspective, he will express his opinions on inter-Korean issues that President Roh can’t mention.”

The chief secretary denied the circulating suspicion over dispatching special envoy to Pyongyang by saying, “Before the meeting between President Roh and ULD president Kim in the presidential resort mansion Chung Nam Dae, Kim’s visit to the North had already been decided. But there wasn’t enough time to discuss the issue with President Roh.” But he hinted that the visit was arranged at the request of Japan by saying, “The North and Japan want the ULD president a constructive advice in terms of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties.”

Kim, who is expected to be accompanied by Byun and two lawmakers from the ruling Millennium Democratic Party and opposition Grand National Party, will likely meet with Kim Yong-nam, president of the North`s Supreme People`s Assembly and possibly North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il. It has been reported that the North wants ULD president`s visit and a consultation with the South Korean government on the visit already completed.

Sung-Won Park swpark@donga.com