By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
PYONGYANG _ Many Koreans say that while good-looking men are found in South Korea, it is the women who are good-looking in North Korea.
When a group of South Korean men accompanying President Roh Moo-hyun for the inter-Korean summit took a break at rest-stop on their way to Pyongyang, a group of the North's women lined up to welcome them.
The women wearing Korean traditional clothing offered glasses of pear juice to the delegation made up mostly of men. Though the moment was very short, it was very impressive.
Apparently northern women are changing, considering their extremely cautious attitude toward southern people a few years ago.
When a group of the North's female cheerleaders visited Busan, South Korea, on the occasion of the 2002 Asian Games, they refused to take photos or shake hands with southern men.
Some cheerleaders and female athletes used not to respond to the questions or greetings of southern reporters.
In contrast, the reporters, including one from The Korea Times who accompanied Roh have found that northern women have become more outgoing and less shy.
Furthermore, a waitress in Ongnyugwan, a famous restaurant that serves Pyongang cold noodles, reportedly joked with the South Korean delegates.
The change may be attributable to ongoing interchanges between the two Koreas over the past few years and the slow spread of the Internet across the North.
With joint projects such as the South Korean tour of Mt. Geumgang and the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, people from the South and North are meeting everyday.
This reporter felt the importance of the engagement policy, also known as the ``sunshine policy,'' the brainchild of former President Kim Dae-jung who held the first inter-Korean summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000.
``Pyongyang streets have changed much,'' said Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun who is one of the leaders for the inter-Korean businesses. She mentioned colorful apartments and neon signs.
She said, ``It seems that more money is now flowing into Pyongyang.''