S Korean president to walk across inter-Korean border
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said Sunday that South Korean President Roh Moo-hyunwill walk across the inter-Korean border while traveling to Pyongyang on Tuesday.
"The two Koreas have reached an agreement on Roh walking across the border. Roh will be accompanied by 13 official delegates at the historic moment," Lee Jae-joung was quoted as saying by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.
Roh's walk across the military demarcation line (MDL) will pave the ground for establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, Lee said.
Roh plans to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Oct.2-4 and hold summit meeting with DPRK top leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.
The Presidential Office said Roh will walk about 30 to 40 meters across the MDL in order to emphasize the historic significance and meaning of the first overland cross-border trip by South Korean president.
The MDL divides the peninsula into two parts after the 1950-1953 Korean War.
The historic cross-border walk will be broadcast live around the world, said local media, adding that Roh will also unveil a message of peace prior to walking across the border.
According to South Korean officials, Roh will make a speech early Tuesday before leaving Seoul for Pyongyang. He is expected to arrive in Pyongyang in the morning and meet with DPRK officials, including Kim Jong-il and DPRK's top legislator Kim Yong-nam, on the day. He also plans to watch the mass games performance of Arirang in Pyongyang and inspect an auto plant and a water locks in Nampo city during his stay.