South Korean President May Visit North After Retirement

Oct 07, 10:00 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap

Seoul, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) - South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun [No Mu-hyo'n] informed North Korean leader Kim Jong Il [Kim Cho'ng-il] of his hopes of visiting Pyongyang again after his retirement in February, Roh's spokesman said Sunday.

"At the end of the three-day summit, President Roh said he wants to visit Pyongyang again after retirement," Cheon Ho-seon told reporters. The communist state's leader Kim has responded positively to Roh's remarks saying he is "welcome with open arms," according to the spokesman.

Wrapping up a three-day summit on Thursday, the two leaders had discussions on various issues related to realizing the advancement of South-North relations, peace on the Korean Peninsula, common prosperity of the Korean people and unification of Korea.

Former South Korean President Kim Tae-chung [Kim Dae-jung], who orchestrated an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il [Kim Cho'ng-il] in 2000, cancelled a trip last year to Pyongyang because of tensions over the North's nuclear test.

Originally published by Yonhap news agency, Seoul, in English 1304 7 Oct 07.

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