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S Korean head meets North envoys S Korean head meets North envoys
(40 minutes later)
South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak is meeting senior North Korean officials for the first time since taking office in February last year. South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak ihas met senior North Korean officials for the first time since taking office in February last year.
The talks are being seen as a significant thaw in relations. President Lee is routinely denounced as a lackey and traitor by the North.The talks are being seen as a significant thaw in relations. President Lee is routinely denounced as a lackey and traitor by the North.
The delegation from Pyongyang is to attended the funeral of late ex-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.The delegation from Pyongyang is to attended the funeral of late ex-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.
The six senior envoys say they want better relations between the Koreas.The six senior envoys say they want better relations between the Koreas.
The meeting was brought forward by about an hour, and is taking place shortly before the funeral of Kim Dae-jung, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts to promote reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. The half-hour meeting took place shortly before the funeral of Kim Dae-jung, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts to promote reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
While meeting many South Koreans here, I came to believe that inter-Korean ties must be improved at the earliest possible date Kim Yang-gonNorth Korean official South Korea's democracy champion Will Pyongyang change?While meeting many South Koreans here, I came to believe that inter-Korean ties must be improved at the earliest possible date Kim Yang-gonNorth Korean official South Korea's democracy champion Will Pyongyang change?
The state funeral, due to start at 0500GMT, will be held at the parliament building in Seoul, and 24,000 people have been invited.The state funeral, due to start at 0500GMT, will be held at the parliament building in Seoul, and 24,000 people have been invited.
Talks between Unification Minister Hyun In-taek and the North Korean envoys on Saturday were the first high-level meeting between the two sides since conservative President Lee took office in February 2008, promising to take a tougher line with Pyongyang.Talks between Unification Minister Hyun In-taek and the North Korean envoys on Saturday were the first high-level meeting between the two sides since conservative President Lee took office in February 2008, promising to take a tougher line with Pyongyang.
Relations chilled as he cut aid to the North, tying its resumption to progress on nuclear disarmament.Relations chilled as he cut aid to the North, tying its resumption to progress on nuclear disarmament.
'Ties must be improved''Ties must be improved'
Thousands are expected to attend Mr Kim's funeralThousands are expected to attend Mr Kim's funeral
The six officials from North Korea were sent to pay respects for Kim Dae-jung. On Friday they laid a wreath at the National Assembly in Seoul, where Mr Kim's body is lying in state.The six officials from North Korea were sent to pay respects for Kim Dae-jung. On Friday they laid a wreath at the National Assembly in Seoul, where Mr Kim's body is lying in state.
The former president pioneered the South's "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea, and spent his life pursuing democracy and reunification with the North.The former president pioneered the South's "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea, and spent his life pursuing democracy and reunification with the North.
He survived several attempts on his life and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.He survived several attempts on his life and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
The North Korean delegation was also reported to be carrying a message from leader Kim Jong-il to Mr Lee.The North Korean delegation was also reported to be carrying a message from leader Kim Jong-il to Mr Lee.
Hyun In-taek met visiting North Korean spy chief Kim Yang-gon in SeoulHyun In-taek met visiting North Korean spy chief Kim Yang-gon in Seoul
"While meeting many South Koreans here, I came to believe that inter-Korean ties must be improved at the earliest possible date," said Kim Yang-gon, the North's official in charge of inter-Korean relations."While meeting many South Koreans here, I came to believe that inter-Korean ties must be improved at the earliest possible date," said Kim Yang-gon, the North's official in charge of inter-Korean relations.
"We've had little opportunity to talk... I hope that these first high-level official talks under the Lee Myung-bak administration will provide a chance to have frank talks," he told his Southern counterpart Mr Hyun."We've had little opportunity to talk... I hope that these first high-level official talks under the Lee Myung-bak administration will provide a chance to have frank talks," he told his Southern counterpart Mr Hyun.
The two officials are responsible for inter-Korean relationsThe two officials are responsible for inter-Korean relations
The words mark a turn around for the North, which earlier this year conducted an underground nuclear test and fired a long-range missile over Japan.The words mark a turn around for the North, which earlier this year conducted an underground nuclear test and fired a long-range missile over Japan.
But more recently, there has been a series of conciliatory gestures. Two US reporters and a South Korean worker were released from detention and last week Pyongyang said it was interested in resuming cross-border tourism and industrial projects.But more recently, there has been a series of conciliatory gestures. Two US reporters and a South Korean worker were released from detention and last week Pyongyang said it was interested in resuming cross-border tourism and industrial projects.
Some observers believe that, with UN sanctions beginning to bite, the North is keen to boost cross-border tourism and trade that bring in badly needed foreign currency, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.Some observers believe that, with UN sanctions beginning to bite, the North is keen to boost cross-border tourism and trade that bring in badly needed foreign currency, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.
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