Kim Young-sam says "North Korea Not Easy to Deal With"

Former president Kim Young-sam will be in China for a 13-day visit beginning June 6. Prior to his departure, he met with reporters at the airport and said, "I wish the South-North summit is successfully carried out. However, North Korea is not easy to deal with."

Opposition GNP President Lee Hoi-chang called Kim Young-sam before his departure, suggesting closer ties between the two.

Former president Kim was questioned before his departure on his agenda and his opinions.

Q: There's a rumor that you are visiting China to give indirect support to the Inter-Korean summit.

A: There is no connection. The main purpose of the trip is to deliver a speech at Harbin University. There are also other matters to attend to.＂

Q: What did you mean when you said North Korea is not easy to deal with?

A: North Korea is not a democratic nation. Do you think it's possible to visit people at 1:00 a.m. (As Kim once tried in the past during a failed attempt at negotiating a summit meeting)?

On the Grand National Party's criticisms on the government and the ruling party, Kim said, ＂Isn＇t it proper for an opposition party to be critical? An opposition party must act like an opposition party.＂

by Park Seung-hee