Kim Gets Set To Brief Lee On Summit

Ruling and opposition camps are pushing for a meeting between President Kim Dae-jung and the opposition leader, Lee Hoi-chang, at which Mr. Kim would brief Mr. Lee on his summit with U.S. President George W. Bush.

"We will soon be discussing the timing and format of the meeting," a top presidential aide said on Monday. He added that the ruling camp is anticipating Mr. Lee's evaluation of the visit, which was largely aimed at selling Mr. Kim's "sunshine" policy to the Bush administration.

An insider with the opposition Grand National Party said, "We will actively consider a meeting between Mr. Kim and Mr. Lee."

The opposition leader, positioning himself as a strong candidate for the 2002 presidential election, has reluctantly approved of the president's U.S. visit.

"The reaffirmation of the security alliance with Washington is positive," Mr. Lee said during a meeting with senior members of his party. "But I cannot help but be concerned that there was a divergence in opinion regarding North Korea between the two leaders."

While approving of Mr. Bush's general endorsement of the principle of engagement with North Korea, the opposition leader took issue with Mr. Kim's proposal of comprehensive reciprocity in exchanges with the North, calling for equivalent exchanges.

Mr. Lee also called for a realignment of the country's foreign affairs team after the diplomatic confusion over Seoul's position on U.S. missile defense.

by Lee Yang-soo