Hyundai Chief Extends NK Visit a Third Time
A top South Korean industrialist Friday extended her stay in North Korea after securing the release of a detained employee, fuelling speculation she will meet leader Kim Jong-Il, the AFP reported.
Engineer Yu Seong-Jin returned home Thursday evening after more than four months in captivity, raising hopes of better cross-border relations after 18 months of bitter hostility from the communist state.
Hyun Jung-Eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Grouo, had traveled to the North Monday to seek Yu's release, days after former president Bill Clinton went to Pyongyang to meet Kim and win a pardon for two American journalists, the agency said.
She had twice extended her stay, apparently in hopes of also being granted a meeting with Kim. A Hyundai spokesman said Friday she would now delay her return until Saturday.