’Inter-Korean diplomatic breakthrough looms large in Nov.’

A ruling party leader said Monday there will likely be a diplomatic breakthrough with regard to South-North Korea relations.

At a closed-door meeting with senior Grand National Party lawmakers, Hong Joon-pyo was quoted as saying that a gas pipeline linking the two Koreas to Russia could be happen. “If this occurs, it will likely be in November,” he said.

Hong had a breakfast meeting with President Lee Myung-bak Sunday.

Because of the timing of his remarks, analysts speculated whether Hong repeated what he had heard from the President.