Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan said Monday that the Roh Moo-hyun administration has begun preparations for an inter-Korean summit this year, spurred by progress in the six-party talks to end North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon, however, quickly rebuffed Lee's remarks.
``President Roh has not issued any instruction for summit preparations. Currently, the presidential office is just collecting public opinions on the summit,'' Cheon told reporters.
In an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper, Lee said unless there are any unexpected obstacles, the inter-Korean summit would be possible in 2006.
Roh's single five-year term ends next February. He is banned from seeking reelection under the Constitution.