By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
So, is cinema junkie Kim Jong-il getting his cutting-edge home theater system upgraded? Not quite _ even though a 52-inch LCD TV did make it on the inter-Korean summit gift list, it has a different recipient name.
The idea that was floating around the press for weeks was that one of President Roh Moo-hyun's gifts to the Stalinist leader for the second summit starting today, raised concerns that it went against U.N. Resolution 1718 that bans selling luxury goods to the North.
The resolution, voted for unanimously last November as punishment for the North's nuclear test, denies the state not just foreign weapons and nuclear technology, but a long list of Kim's favorites _ from caviar, wrist watches and race cars to DVD players.
However, South's government cut the controversy short, stating that although TVs generally pertain to luxury goods, each country is responsible for spelling out its own list of details.
``The flat screen television(s) won't be sent to any individual, but will be set up in public areas for everyone's enjoyment,'' said a government official.
Some of the locations that have been mentioned are the Baekhwawon State Guest House, where Roh will lodge during his visit, the Grand People's Study House and by the West Sea Barrage _ all of which attract crowds.
Although presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon refused to disclose the gift list details at a regular briefing last week, saying ``a gift carries true value only with the recipient's curiosity over what it will be,'' word has been out that drama and movie DVDs are also listed.
The latest blockbuster ``Dragon Wars'' that opened in 2,000 U.S. theaters last month, and dramas starring South Korean actress Lee Young-ae _ Kim's movie idol _ are to be among the some 150 selections for delivery.
Some other items of Roh's courtesy toward the North's participating officials are said to be traditional green tea from South Gyeongsang Province, where the first green tea tree was planted about 1,200 years ago, and Yeongdong grapes from North Chungcheong Province. These and other delicacies and famous drinks from eight different provinces will be featured at the summit dinner.
``The details of the dinner will be made public, but gifts to Kim won't be let known officially until later,'' said Cheon.
Former President Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader exchanged two pairs of dogs at the first historic summit in 2000.