Hungary seconds Kim's sunshine

BUDAPEST － President Kim Dae-jung met with President Ferenc Madl of Hungary on Friday after his three-day visit to Norway.

Mr. Madl reportedly offered his support for Mr. Kim's "sunshine" policy of engaging North Korea and said that he would assist in inter-Korean reconciliation efforts. The post of president is mostly ceremonial in Hungary.

Mr. Kim will meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday to discuss cooperative trade relations in the Balkans region, Central Europe and the European Union.

The two leaders will reportedly discuss bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including information and communication technologies and a joint research project on electronic components.

A series of cultural exchanges, including arts and sporting events, will also be discussed at the summit along with plans for an education exchange program.

by Kim Jin-kook