South Korea says North committed to peace

SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea said Friday the communist North was committed to peace and promised that the private sector will largely pay for an estimated 11 billion dollars in new projects agreed at a landmark summit.

President Roh Moo-Hyun, only the second South Korean leader to visit Pyongyang, pledged with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il to work for a peace treaty to close the last Cold War frontier after six decades of division.

The summit declaration also called for a series of joint economic projects including a special economic zone around the North's western port of Haeju, construction of joint shipyards and tours to the North's scenic Mount Paekdu.

The deals surprised South Korean analysts and media, who had low expectations of the summit, although Roh's conservative critics charged that he failed to press the North on its nuclear weapons and human rights record. ...