NK military to inspect ROK forces

Chances are that North Korean military officials will visit the South in November and inspect Korean military facilities and training.

This outlook is based on the fact that Pyongyang is expected to join in the ASEAN-

-Asian Regional Forum(ARF) and Seoul is scheduled to play host of the ARF interval confidence buildup conference from Nov, 1 to 3 in Seoul, in which member states` diplomatic and military officials are to participate.

Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry officials said that during the conference period, the participants are scheduled to visit the truce village of Panmunjom, and inspect military facilities and training in the host country.

The officials disclosed that its members are obligated to attend the conference and that, in view of the inter-Korean detente mood of late, there is no reason for Pyongyang to boycott its attendance. This could mark the first time in the history that the North Korean People`s Army officials visit here and inspect the South Korean military facilities and drill, the officials added.

In this connection, it was known that the authorities concerned are holding consultations to determine the specific military facilities.

The conference, to be held ahead of the ARF`s Senior Officials` Meeting (SOM) and its Foreign Ministers` Meeting, is generally attended by colonel-level military officials.

The ministry officials said that this is to indicate the significance and importance

of the North Korean entry into the ASEAN-ARF regime, which is the only inter-governmental cooperative organization in the Asia-Pacific region.