Clinton unlikely to visit N. Korea: Kim Dae Jung+

0 Comments | Asian Political News, Jan 1, 2001

SEOUL, Dec. 27 Kyodo

South Korean President Kim Dae Jung indicated Wednesday that U.S. President Bill Clinton will not visit North Korea before he leaves office next month.

In a news conference with Blue House presidential office reporters, Kim said, ''At the moment, I think we can't hope much for such a trip (to North Korea by Clinton).''

Kim reiterated, however, that he does not expect any change in U.S. policy toward the Korean Peninsula under the incoming Bush administration.

Kim also said he hopes to visit the United States as soon as possible for talks with President-elect George W. Bush.

Touching on the possible visit to South Korea by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il next year, the South Korean president said Seoul and Pyongyang will discuss fixing a specific date for the trip.

''When we met in Pyongyang, we agreed that Chairman Kim Jong Il would visit Seoul at an appropriate time next year and we are expecting such a visit to be in the first half of next year,'' the president said.

Kim had earlier said he expects the North Korean leader to come to Seoul in spring next year to return his visit to Pyongyang between June 13-15.

North Korea's No. 2 leader Kim Yong Nam was widely expected to visit Seoul in December as a prelude to Kim Jong Il's trip, but the visit was postponed by the North without explanation.