CPRF spokesman refutes false rumor in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 2 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF) Sunday answered a question put by KCNA as regards a false rumor afloat in South Korea these days over the south side's special envoy's Pyongyang visit. He said:As already reported, President Kim Dae Jung's special envoy visited Pyongyang shortly ago at the request of the south side and discussed issues of mutual concern.
The north side received the special envoy coming to Pyongyang with a view to having with the south side a package discussion on the issues related to the inter-Korean relations to cope with the changed situation. It sincerely accommodated all the south-proposed issues out of its utmost generosity and had a frank exchange of views on the matter related to the nation.
The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly representing the state warmly received the special envoy and his party according to protocol and gave satisfactory answers to the questions raised by them.
However, a false story is being floated by some elements in South Korea these days as regards the "reception."
It is a universally known practice for the President of the SPA Presidium to receive out of courtesy heads of state or government and their special envoys during their DPRK visit.
He also receives credentials from diplomatic envoys from various countries on behalf of the state.
The special envoy of the south side was accorded, in fact, most cordial hospitality ever to be received from compatriots during his Pyongyang visit.
What some elements in South Korea complained about the "reception" does not stand to reason from viewpoints of morality, practice and etiquette.
The rumor only betrays their ignorance of the state structure in the north and, furthermore, reveals the sinister aim of the ultra-right conservatives to drive a wedge between the north and the south of Korea and sour the atmosphere of reconciliation and cooperation.
One should be vigilant against such moves on the part of anti-reunification forces but should not be taken in by such mean smear campaign under any circumstances for the implementation of the historic June 15 Joint Declaration and the sustained improvement of the inter-Korean relations.
