Official predicts breakthrough at Red Cross talks with North

Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun said on a television program Sunday he believes the North will come up with a groundbreaking proposal at the inter-Korean Red Cross talks scheduled to begin Wednesday.

"I think the North is prepared to make an important decision, since they proposed that the presidents of the two Red Cross associations meet," Mr. Jeong said on a Korea Broadcasting System current affairs program. Previous Red Cross talks were led by the associations' secretaries-general, who rank below the president.

Mr. Jeong also suggested that the Mount Geumgang Hotel in North Korea, where the reunion of separated families will take place this month, serve as a temporary meeting center. Seoul has said it would work for regular meetings of separated families by negotiating on a meeting center at the forthcoming Red Cross talks.

Mr. Jeong added that there has been no progress on the long-promised visit to the South by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il for a second summit with President Kim Dae-jung.

by Lee Young-jong