By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Cheong Wae Dae Wednesday rebuked some media reports that President Roh Moo-hyun has been received lukewarmly in North Korea.
Despite North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's ``surprise'' greeting for Roh, many local and foreign media compared Tuesday's welcoming ceremony to the one given to former President Kim Dae-jung in 2000, when Chairman Kim greeted the architect of the ``Sunshine Policy'' of engaging the North, with a warm hug and broad smile.
``President Roh is receiving heartwarming hospitality,'' vice presidential spokesman Kim Jung-sup said in a briefing at the Seoul Press Center in Lotte Hotel, central Seoul. ``Kim treated Roh with respect as he did in the first summit.''
Kim referred to Roh's open car parade with Kim Yong-nam, the second most senior leader in the North, before the official welcoming ceremony presided over by Kim Jong-il as an example of Pyongyang's warm hospitality for Roh.
Kim Yong-nam is the President of the Presidium of the North's Supreme People's Assembly.
``Twenty-three high-ranking officials in North Korea attended Tuesday's ceremony. In 2000, however, there were 13 including one senior military official, while this time three key military officials greeted Roh,'' the spokesman added.
Some in South Korea watched in disappointment and perplexity at the absence of enthusiasm in the North Korean leader's greeting and his apparent signs of failing health.
The two leaders gingerly shook hands, and as they walked the red carpet conducting a military review toward the main stand, Kim was dour and reserved.
Kim looked weaker and older Tuesday than in July when he met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, North Korea watchers said, raising speculation that his health is not that good after his alleged heart surgery in May.
Some experts said the lack of expression in his face might be a strategy to get the upper hand in forthcoming summit talks with Roh.
The mood in 2000 was very different.
When Kim Dae-jung stepped out of his airplane in a Pyongyang airport, Kim Jong-il approached the visiting leader from the South. Using both hands, he held Kim Dae-jung's hands for about five seconds in an emotional handshake and a pleasant chat.
At that time, the North's leader spent 122 minutes greeting Kim Dae-jung, including an hour-long unscheduled limousine ride. On Tuesday, however, Kim greeted Roh for just 12 minutes.