Smiles of North Korean delegates in Seoul

Appearing genuinely happy at various times and locations on their itinerary, the members of the North Korean delegation in Seoul for the ministerial talks on the 30th seemed to reaffirm Pyongyang`s dramatic transformation as they willingly and openly answered the questions of South Korean reporters.

During the 10-minute public talks after their closed-door meeting, which began at 10 a.m. at the Dynasty room of the Shilla Hotel, they stressed the importance of the Joint Declaration and the continuation of inter-Korean reconciliation.

After the meeting, delegates from both sides attended a luncheon at Sam-won Garden in the Kangnam area of Seoul, where they shared drinks in a friendly atmosphere.

The North`s delegation, including Chief Delegate Jon, visited a cultural museum at Lotte World at about 2 p.m. to view artifacts and relics from the Kokuryo, Paekje, Shilla and Chosun Periods of Korean antiquity.

The Northern delegates expressed a deep interest in the artifacts from the kingdom of Kokuryo and others from the northern part of the peninsula. Kim Kwan-Yong, the North`s Cabinet Minister, commented that it was regrettable that the Kingdom of Shilla allied with China`s T`ang Kingdom to unify the peninsula. He conjectured that if Kokuryo had been the one to unify the peninsula, Korea would not have lost three important cities in the northeast. He further added that an exchange of historical items and documents would be beneficial for both Koreas and help them narrow their disparate historical viewpoints.

The entourage of North Korean reporters, who had remained in their quarters throughout the day on the 29th, met with their Southern counterparts as they took their designated places at the press conference room.

The North`s reporters freely greeted and exchanged pleasantries with members of the South Korean media, and displayed a sense of humor at one point when they asked the Southern side not to make them a news item.

The North`s 25-member delegation arrived at about 12:45 p.m. on the 29th, later than scheduled, on Chinese Airlines flight CA123. They were met at Kimpo International Airport by the South Korean delegation, including Deputy Minister of Finance Uhm Nak-Yon.

The North`s chief delegate Jun said upon arrival, "We have come to actualize the historic inter-Korean Joint Declaration and on a mission of unity and unification for the peoples of the two Koreas."

After unpacking at the Shilla Hotel at around 2 p.m., the North Korean team met with the South Korean side to exchange formal greetings, and headed for a supper hosted by Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong. At the dinner, which was attended by 100 or so government and business dignitaries, choruses of "cheers" and laughter filled the banquet room.