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| Unnamed tourists on Mount Nam take pictures for scenic views of downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Kim Yoo-chul
President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with their wives, may dine together at a restaurant on top of Mount Nam in Seoul during Kim's possible visit to South Korea, a source from Cheong Wa Dae said, Tuesday.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a restaurant inside N Seoul Tower, an iconic landmark, is being considered for the venue of what would be a historic dinner where visitors could see Kim in person.
"This is one of various ideas to treat Kim if he visits Seoul this year," the source told The Korea Times. "The tower on top of Mount Nam is a symbolic place with scenic views of downtown Seoul and the Han River. That will be a great place for Kim."
N Seoul Tower, located on top of Mount Nam, is one of the most iconic and popular attractions in Seoul. It has four observation decks including two restaurants.
"It's possible an upper-level restaurant will be chosen as the venue for the dinner, as the restaurant, named n.Grill, has a revolving floor, offering a chance to access every view the tower offers just by sitting at the table. While having dinner, the leaders of the Koreas can get a night view of high-rise downtown Seoul," he said. "The two can talk about the estimated economic benefits North Korean can get in return for cutting the regime's appetite toward maintaining its nuclear arsenal."
More specifically, the tower's observatory is unique as it offers an astonishing 360-degree panorama over downtown Seoul and other surroundings, and 32 screens recounting the 600-year history of Seoul, serving as a source of pride for citizens.
Months earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down for a high-class steak dinner with North Korea's chief negotiator Kim Yong-chol in mid-town Manhattan as part of a diplomatic frenzy dedicated to hash out the two countries' differing views on how Pyongyang should dismantle its nuclear program.
On Monday, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said he is ready to serve as a "tour guide" for Kim Jong-un during his upcoming visit and added he would take Kim to Seoul Station and the Han River.
Plans are for Kim to make his historic visit to Seoul after he meets Trump around the end of February. Kim accepted President Moon's invitation last September to visit the South Korean capital.
Sources inside Cheong Wa Dae said the North Korean leader's visit to Seoul will take place sometime in late March or early April, given the time needed to address possible protests against the North Korean leader.
