Seoul Wary on Hwang's Trip to U.S.

The South Korean government decided Thursday to offer its assistance in assuring the safety of a high-profile defector from North Korea if Washington presses for him to testify before the U.S. Congress.

The decision was made during a National Security Council meeting that discussed the U.S. invitation to the defector, Hwang Jang-yop. Seoul also said the visit will not be possible in July.

At the meeting, the government affirmed its stance that a visit by Mr. Hwang to the U.S. will not be allowed unless his safety can be firmly guaranteed by Washington.

Three U.S. legislators who invited Mr. Hwang, the most prominent defector from North Korea, to testify in the U.S. this month are working with the State Department to assure his well-being during the visit.

Mr. Hwang accepted the invitation of Representative Henry Hyde, Senator Jesse Helms and Representative Christopher Cox.

The three legislators reportedly are reviewing the possibility of a formal protest if South Korea bars Mr. Hwang from making the trip.

If the South Korean government denies permission, the situation could possibly develop into a diplomatic incident, critics said.

To avert such a development, the South Korean government made the decision Thursday to offer its assistance.

"We have not yet received a reply from the U.S. government," a Seoul official said.

The opposition Grand National Party held a meeting Thursday where it urged the government not to block the planned journey.

"The government's hindering of the visit is in essence a confession of its lack of confidence in its North Korea policies," said Chang Kang-keun, a spokesman for the party.

"We should take advantage of the visit to make the human rights situation in North Korea a public issue discussed in the international community."

by Lee Chul-hee