PM Persson meets with Kim Jong-il; asking NK leader to visit Seoul

Goran Persson, Swedish Prime Minister who is the first Western head of state to visit North Korea, met with North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, and then had talks with Kim Yong-nam, the Communist country`s ceremonial head of state on May 2.

Prime Minister Persson said that European Union (EU) will try to promote the peace process on the Korean peninsula, and asked for the continuous execution of 6.15 Joint Declaration of South and North at Baek Hwa Guest House on afternoon.

On 3rd morning, Prime Minister Persson will have an official meeting with Kim Jong-il, aiming for peace and cooperation between two Koreas, confirm Kim’s intention of on-going cooperation, and encourage his visit to Seoul.

Therefore, the EU delegation’s effort to restore foreign relations between U.S and North Korea draws attention.

In summit talks between two leaders, it is expected that Kim Jong-il’s opinions on stalled relations after summit meeting between Kim Dae-jung and George W. Bush, and especially his visit to Seoul will be delivered.

A government official supported this expectation, saying that “We have not delivered an official message to Prime Minister Persson, but our intention is thoroughly understood by them.”

Prime Minister Persson emphasized that in order to improve the relations with the EU and the U.S, it is important to reduce mass-killing weapons like nuclear missile and improve human rights issues, and discussed immediate suspension of arms export.

In a press conference on May 3, Prime Minister Persson is supposed to announce the achievement of summit meeting with Kim Jong-il, and leave for Seoul. Prior to his depature, he had a meeting with Kim Yong-nam, intensively discussing North’s amity with the EU, economic aids, humanitarian aids, and economic reform strategies.

After his arrival at Sunan Airport in Pyongyang Prime Minister Persson and the EU delegation were greeted by Kim Young-Nam. The EU delegation consists of 15 officials including EU Security Affairs, Chief Javier Solana, and EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten.

Hwang Yoo-Seong yshwang@donga.com