Kim Visit Is 'Difficult' Soon, 'Definite' Later

A senior North Korean official said Tuesday a planned return visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to South Korea in the first half of this year looks "difficult." Ma Yong-il, a lawmaker of the North's Supreme People's Assembly, said, however, that the North Korean leader will "definitely" make such a visit this year.

The remarks by Mr. Ma, who was speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in Cuba, were echoed by South Korea's vice minister of unification, Kim Hyung-ki.

"It is true that the possibility of a visit by the North Korean leader to South Korea in the first half of this year is becoming less and less," Mr. Kim said.

This is the first time that a senior government official has suggested that the visit, which was widely expected to take place in spring, may be delayed.

Concerning the possible route that Mr. Kim would take for his trip to Seoul, Mr. Ma said such issues are to be dealt by the top leaders, but added, "Wouldn't it be only natural for Mr. Kim to visit by train upon the completion of Kyongui railway? "

The South Korean government had earlier expressed hope for the inter-Korean railroad construction to be completed by September. But with the North delaying the signing of a joint agreement to set guidelines at the construction site, officials at the Construction Ministry regard a delay as inevitable.

by Lee Young-jong