EU Head Arrives in North

Prime Minister Goeran Persson of Sweden, the rotating European Union president, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il Wednesday afternoon. Their discussions included the possible establishment of EU-DPRK diplomatic relations.

Mr. Persson reportedly told Mr. Kim that inter-Korean issues should be resolved through dialogue between the two Koreas and stressed the need to implement agreements made in the Joint Declaration by the two Koreas during the inter-Korean summit last June. He also asked about Mr. Kim's anticipated visit to Seoul.

Observers are watching to see if Mr. Kim will offer any substantive comments about his missile program, which is a major reason cited by the U.S. government for the "skepticism" of the Bush administration about the DPRK.

Mr. Persson, accompanied by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, external affairs commissioner Chris Patten and 20 other officials, arrived in North Korea shortly before noon. It is the first time that a Western European leader has visited North Korea.

He was met at the airport by Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun. Observers had been watching to see if Kim Jong-il would greet him there.

Government officials in Seoul said they believe the reason for Mr. Kim's absence is the perception in Pyongyang that the EU is not central to Korean Peninsula issues, although it might serve as somewhat of a balancing weight as the U.S. Bush administration ponders what policy position to take with the North.

The first day of the two-day visit ended with a press conference by the delegation at the Koryo Hotel. Mr. Persson said he had met with Mr. Kim for only 15 minutes, primarily to discuss Thursday's agenda. The group then attended a welcoming dinner hosted by Kim Jong-il.

On Thursday, Mr. Persson said, the talks will focus on inter-Korean reconciliation, North Korea's missile program, human rights in the North, EU's economic support to the North and the North's economic reform efforts. At noon on Thursday, the delegation will again brief the press on the results of the second round of talks with Mr. Kim, after which it will travel for Seoul via a direct flight over the Yellow Sea.

by Choi Ik-jae