Kim Advances Bilateral Trade

BRUNEI - President Kim Dae-jung held talks Tuesday with the leaders of Chile, New Zealand and Mexico.

Mr. Kim is on a state visit to Brunei in advance of the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting set to open Wednesday.

Mr. Kim discussed strengthening free trade agreements in his meetings with Ricardo Lagos, president of Chile, Helen Clark, prime minister of New Zealand and Ernesto Zedillo, president of Mexico.

Mr. Kim and his Chilean counterpart, Mr. Lagos, agreed to work toward establishing a free trade agreement between the two nations as soon as possible.

In his meeting with Mrs. Clark, Mr. Kim asked that New Zealand speed up its inspection of Korean oranges, while she asked the president to encourage the import of deer antlers, a ingredient in Oriental medicine products made in Korea, from New Zealand.

Mr. Kim also asked the three leaders to support North Korea's entry into international organizations, including its admission into the regional economic cooperation body.

by Kim Jin-kook