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Detailed Itinerary for President Kim's Visit to North Korea
The Ministry of Unification of ROK announced on June 7 the detailed itinerary for President Kim Dae-jung's visit to Pyongyang from June 12 to 14. The itinerary consisted of seven parts including arrival, summits, dinners, and the return to Panmunjom. President Kim's itinerary for the three days and two night is as following:
South Korean delegates will complete departure ceremonies in the morning of June 12 at Seoul Sungnam airport. The delegates will travel to North Korea via special airplane provided by Asiana Airlines and will fly over international waters of the West Sea. The delegates will arrive at Soonan Airport in Pyongyang after a two hour flight. At the airport, there is a high probability that Secretary Kim Yong-sun will greet the delegates. South Korean delegates will head to Baekhwawon Chodaeso, the presidential guesthouse, by Mercedes after completing a brief immigration control process.
North Korea has finished repairs and decorated walls and flower gardens along the 12km of streets from the airport to Pyongyang's downtown in order to hold a welcoming ceremonies in which North Korean residents will participate.
The briefing room in Pyongyang will be ready to operated at full scale with its 'hot-line', a direct satellite linkup, allowing communication from remote locations between President Kim Dae-jung and the South Korean government in Seoul.
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean National Defense Committee Chairman Kim Jong-il will hold two private meetings and one extended meeting. Only transcribers from South and North Korea will be allowed in the private talks between Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il.
In the extended meeting, 10 members from the South Korean delegation, including Finance and Economy Minister Lee Hun-jai and Chief Chong Wa Dae Secretariat Han Kwang-ok, will join. It is expected that North Korea will invite its government officials for the economy, including Vice Premier Kwak Pom-ki and State Planning Commission Chairman Park Nam-ki.
The first dinner will be hosted by Kim Jong-il, inviting the entire South Korean contingent, all 50 reporters and 130 delegates. On June 13, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung will host a dinner in return.
President Kim will visit Mangyongdae student palace, an art education facility for children, and places of historical interest near Pyongyang. Daedong-mun, designated as the first national treasure of North Korea, is a gate of Pyongyang castle built in the Koguryo era near Daedong river.
First Lady Lee Hee-ho will separately visit Pyongyang Maternity and Changkwang Kindergarten. The agenda also includes time to view a circus and attend a performance of Mansudae Art Troupe.
President Kim is planning to visit Okryukwan, a famous restaurant for Pyongyang Naengmyon (traditional Korean iced noodle soup) for lunch with his delegates. A South Korean government source commented that Baekhwawon Chodaeso, the guest house, is sparing no effort to host the South Korean visitors, incomparable with previous high-ranking summits in the early 1990s. Ginseng skin toners, milk skin lotions, and disposable razors have been prepared along with camellia oil for hair.
Twelve direct international telephone lines connecting Pyongyang and Seoul through Beijing have been installed. Therefore, the civilian delegates can make telephone calls to Seoul from Pyongyang, the fist time since Korea has been divided.
President Kim will return to Panmunjom on June 14 via Pyongyang-Kaesung. There will be a welcome back ceremony at Panmunjom upon his return.
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