Pres. Park`s envoy meets with North`s counterpart in Moscow

A presidential envoy Yoon Sang-hyeon met with Kim Yong Nam, president of the presidium of North Korea`s Supreme People`s Assembly, on Saturday (local time) in Moscow, Russia. “Presidential envoy Yoon who attended in commemoration event for the 70th anniversary of Russia’s victory in World War II had an opportunity to naturally meet with Kim when they were placing a wreath before unknown soldiers,” revealed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. This was the first meeting that was made between the South and North in this year.

The result of meeting is at the center of attention as the presidential envoy took part in the event on behalf of President Park Geun-hye and Kim is a nominal official of highest authority who represents North Korea. “Yoon expressed wishes for improved relations between the two Koreas,” said the ministry.

Sources from the presidential envoy implied the two figures had a separate meeting, saying, "It is not that they had a short encounter. They met on Saturday afternoon to talk about various issues.” Some media reported that South Korea’s presidential envoy had a 40-minute meeting with his North Korean counterpart at Kremlin. A high-ranking government official was careful about stretching the meaning of the meeting by saying, “Yoon didn’t have President Park’s handwritten letter,” but added “The two had enough time for the conversation. It seems that President Park’s thought on improved relations between Seoul and Pyongyang is accurately delivered to the North.”

“After placing flowers to unknown soldiers, the two had more opportunities to meet when they were taking commemorative pictures (at Alexander garden) and attending a welcome reception (at the Kremlin palace),” said government sources.

shcho@donga.com