Kim Sets Travel For Nobel Prize

President Kim Dae-jung leaves Friday for a four-day trip to Oslo, Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the Blue House said.

During the award ceremony on Sunday (Korean Standard Time), which will be broadcast live around the world, Mr. Kim is expected to unfold his vision of world peace, democracy and human rights.

During the four-day visit, Mr. Kim will meet with Norwegian King Harald V and Prime Minister Jens Stoletenberg.

Kim Ha-joong, secretary for foreign affairs and national security, and Presidential Spokesman Park Joon-young will accompany the president and first lady along with several members of Mr. Kim's family, political allies, friends and other leaders of Korean society, Blue House officials said.

Ambassador Thomas Foglietta, the American ambassador to Italy, and 1996 Nobel Peace laureate Jose Lamos-Horta will also make the trip with Mr. Kim's entourage. Mr. Foglietta accompanied Mr. Kim in 1985 when he returned to Korea after his exile in America.

People from many different areas of Korean society will also make the trip including 10 religious leaders, eight cultural and media figures, five leaders from civic groups, two business leaders and seven citizens and students.

Lee Woo-kyung, a 15-year-old sophomore at Yonsei University's Medical School is one of the students selected to accompany the president. Lee entered college at the age of 14 last year, and is believed to be the youngest student to achieve such a feat.

Two other students, one a high school senior in Pusan and the other a college junior from Kongju, South Chungchong province, earned the rare opportunity to attend.

Mr. Kim then travels to Sweden on Tuesday where he will meet with King Carl XVI Gustaf, speak before the Swedish parliament and meet with Prime Minister Goran Persson.

by Kim Jin-kook