pyongyang Roh Receives Red-Carpet Welcome in Pyongyang
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The meeting of the leaders of the two Koreas was reminiscent of the scene that took place seven years ago, but was done in a much calmer and business-like mood than the emotional one in 2000.
President Roh Moo-hyun took a historic step toward Pyongyang by crossing the heavily fortified military demarcation line (MDL), which divides the Korean Peninsula, on foot.
It is the first time for a South Korean leader to do so.
He was greeted by four North Korean officials who were waiting a few meters away on the North Korean side of the border, and given flowers by North Korean women. Roh headed for Pyongyang again by car.
The official welcoming ceremony was originally scheduled to be held at the Monument to the Three-Point Charter of National Reunification. But the venue was changed to the April 25 House of Culture, the North's largest performing art facility, and speculations were raised that Kim may appear at the venue to personally greet his South Korean counterpart.
Tens of thousands of North Koreans cheered on both sides of the road when Roh drove by in a motorcade in an open car with Kim Yong-nam, the second-most senior leader in the North, from the People's Palace of Culture to the ceremony venue.
When Roh arrived at the house, the speculation came true _ Kim was waiting for him.
The two leaders shook hands amid thousands of cheering Pyongyang residents in hanbok who waved pink and red flowers. Kim also shook hands with South Korea's first lady Kwon Yang-suk.
However, the meeting was not as buoyant as the first one seven years ago.
When Roh left the limousine, Kim did not move forward but stayed till Roh walked to him. The two leaders shook hands but there was neither a hug nor big smile unlike the first summit between Kim and then-President Kim Dae-jung.
Roh and Kim looked rather stiff while inspecting honor guards together. Roh seemed to recover his smile later when shaking hands with the North's high-ranking officials, while Kim followed Roh with a reserved and unemotional face.
Unlike the 2000 summit when Kim unexpectedly rode a car together with then President Kim, Roh alone headed to the Baekhwawon State Guest House. On Roh's car were attached South Korea's national flag, the ``Taegeukgi,'' and a flag with a picture of a ``bonghwang,'' a legendary bird that symbolizes the President in the South.
``The greeting may seem to be less emotional and enthusiastic because the meeting was the second of its kind and there was no expectation that Kim might show up. However, considering Kim's appearing in person and other greeting ceremonies, the North showed its best sincerity,'' a government official said.
A North Korean official also told South Korean reporters that such a welcome with an open motorcade is very rare and the parade was possible due to Roh's overland trip.