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South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, on visit to Pyongyang for the June 15 Grand Festival for National Reunification, met with North Korean No. 2 man Supreme People's Assembly President Kim Yong-nam on Thursday.
According to Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hong-jae, Chung explained the results of the recent South Korea-U.S. summit, and told Kim that matters of mutual concern required "candid and sincere discussion." Chung said the 15th round of ministerial level talks to be held in Seoul on June 21~24 needed to be more substantive and fruitful than before.
Kim Yong-nam said, "Pertaining to the recent situation, if the U.S. recognizes the North Korean regime and system, we, too, will treat the U.S. as a friend." About development of the intra-Korean relationship, Kim said he understood the South Korean position. He said the responsible authorities in North and South needed to get together to plan cooperation while building the intra-Korean relationship strong.
Chung and the rest of the South Korean official delegation visited Mokran House, a reception house used by high-ranking North Korean officials, and talked with a North Korean delegation for about 25 minutes. This was immediately followed by a 25-minute one-on-one talk between Chung and Kim.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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