A delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) arrived in Seoul Friday to pay respect to South Korean late president Kim Dae-jung.
The South Korean government sent its unification minister and former unification minister to greet the delegation at the airport, local media reported.
Before their departure, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the delegation "left Pyongyang by special plan," reflecting the DPRK's attention on the issue, local Yonhap News Agency reported.
Arriving at Gimpo airport at 03:00 p.m. local time (0600 GMT), the six-member delegation headed straight to a memorial altar set up for ex-president Kim at the National Assembly.
The delegation, one by one, paid respect to Kim, placing the floral tribute sent from DPRK's leader Kim Jong-Il at the altar.
"In memory of former President Kim Dae-jung, who preserved justice and consciousness, leaving an inerasable mark in the heart of every Korean," Kim Ki-nam, leader of the delegation, wrote in a visitor's book.
Though the delegation was planned to leave directly for the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center in northern Seoul, it accepted the request of Kim Hyong-o, Speaker of the National Assembly, to hold a brief meeting.
Rep. Kim, during the 15-minute meeting, was reported to urge the delegation to seek better inter-Korean relations through the current visit.
The detailed itinerary of the DPRK envoys is yet to be known, local media said.
The delegation is comprised of DPRK's top-ranking officials, including its leader Kim Ki-nam, a Workers' Party Central Committee secretary most frequently included in DPRK's leader Kim Jong-Il's entourage in public activities.
The visit is the first visit by DPRK high-level officials since President Lee Myung-bak took office last year.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2009)
