Fixing Inter-Korean Relations or Creating a “North Wind”?

United Front Department Director Kim Yang Gon of North Korea`s ruling Workers` Party, who is spearheading North Korea’s inter-Korean projects, will visit Seoul for three days from November 29. South Korean Minister of Unification Lee Jae-joung held a briefing on November 28 at the Headquarter of Inter-Korean Talks in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said, “Director Kim and four other members of the North’s delegation will visit South Korea via land route for three days from tomorrow, in order to check the progress of the fulfillment of the 2007 Inter-Korean Summit declarations, discuss future directions and conduct field observations.”

This is the second visit by the director of the North’s United Front Department, following former director Kim Yong Soon’s visit in September 2000.

Director Kim, who was the only person to sit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during the 2007 inter-Korean summit conferences in October, is one of the power elites of North Korea also positioned as the chair of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. In terms of South Korean positions, this is equivalent to holding offices of the chair of National Intelligence Service, the Minister of Unification, and Chief Presidential Secretary for Foreign and Security Policy.

On the same day, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Cheon Ho-seon hinted at the possibility of director Kim meeting with President Roh Moo-hyun, saying, “It is not decided whether director Kim will visit Cheong Wa Dae or not, but it can happen depending on the schedule of the President.”

The North Korean delegation, comprising a five-person envoy, including Director Kim, Assistant Vice Director Choi Seung Chol of United Front Department, division heads of United Front Department Won Dong Yon and Kang Su Rin, and Councilor Lee Hyon of United Front Department and two aides, are expected to arrive at the CIQ Office in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at around 9:00 a.m. on November 29 through the Gyeongui Highway. Their accommodation will be the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel, Seoul.

During his visit, Director Kim will have conferences with Minister of Unification Lee and National Intelligence Service Director Kim Man-bok. It is predicted that the main issues will be those that were not dealt with during the inter-Korean prime-ministerial talks held on November 14-16.

“There is possibility that the talks will cover the three-or-four party end-of-war declaration for a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula or Chairman of Presidium of the Supreme People`s Assembly Kim Yong Nam’s visit to Seoul,” said a source.

But some point out that Director Kim’s visit can be a type of “North Wind (North Korean variables)” since only 20 days remain before the presidential election and various conferences are being held on schedule for the fulfillment of the summit agreement.

North Korea is also positively responding to the South Korean government’s efforts to solidify inter-Korean relations.

“The incumbent government seems to be intending to specify the summit agreement as far as possible so that the next government will not be able to reverse decisions easily,” said Professor Yoo Ho-yeol of the Department of North Korean Studies at Korea University.

triplets@donga.com