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Wu's NK Visit Brightens Outlook for 6-Party Talks

2003-10-24

China's parliamentary leader Wu Bangguo will visit Pyongyang next week to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and other senior Pyongyang figures to tackle pending issues including the nuclear crisis.

"An official Chinese delegation led by comrade Wu Bangguo ... will visit our country soon," the North's state-run Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported on Thursday morning.

Sources said Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress, will likely visit North Korea from Oct. 28, leading a massive delegation.

Wu's visit was originally scheduled for earlier this year but was put off at the request of Pyongyang.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing's chief negotiator for the six-way talks, is likely to accompany Wu.

"Considering Wu's position, a meeting with National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il is likely," said Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun in a weekly briefing on Thursday.

Wu's visit draws particular attention as it comes in the midst of the protracted tug-of-war over staging the next six-way talks.

The Chinese, who have actively played the role of mediator in the crisis, are likely to relay the latest progress on the nuclear issue, including the results of summit meetings with the U.S. and South Korea at the just-ended Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Thailand.

Wu's visit is thus seen as potentially decisive in shaping the next six-way talks.

"That North Korea made a pre-announcement (of Wu's visit) implies North Korea could make a major decision (timed with his visit)," Jeong added.

Meanwhile, Jeong announced 20 South Korean lawmakers are to visit the North's Gaeseong industrial complex on Friday.

"The lawmakers of the National Assembly's construction and transportation committee will cross the border for an on-site inspection Friday," he said.

"The ministry will provide all possible conveniences and support for them in respect of the legislature's decision," the minister said.

The 20 lawmakers, including committee chairman Rep. Shin Yung-kook, along with 41 other government officials and staff, are scheduled to look around the industrial park during the one-day visit.

During the briefing, Jeong said he felt the North is putting great emphasis on the Gaeseong industrial complex at the inter-Korean ministerial talks held in Pyongyang last week.

"They complained that the Southerners have only sent fact-finding teams to the site since the groundbreaking ceremony on June 30," Jeong said.

The South's Korea Land Corporation has been conducting the groundwork for the site.

Source : www.korea.net