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An image provided by the (North) Korean Central Broadcasting Station shows former U.S. President Bill Clinton posing with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il after meeting in Pyongyang Tuesday to discuss the possible release of two U.S. journalists currently imprisoned in the Stalinist state. / Yonhap
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By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il Tuesday a few hours after he arrived in Pyongyang to obtain the release of two detained journalists.
Clinton and Kim discussed ``issues of common interest,'' the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
It also said that Clinton delivered messages from President Barack Obama to Kim ― who expressed his appreciation ― before the two had a ``serious'' conversation.
The report did not detail the content of the messages.
His surprise trip to the isolated state has drawn attention from the international community ― as well as South Korea ― as the rare visit is expected to make a breakthrough in stalled denuclearization talks and chilled relations between North Korea and the United States.
North Korean media earlier confirmed his visit to Pyongyang, reporting that he was greeted upon arrival by officials including chief nuclear envoy Kim Kye-gwan. His itinerary and the purpose of the visit were not elaborated on though.
The South Korean government refrained from commenting on the visit due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The White House also refused to discuss the trip while it is underway with its spokesman Robert Gibbs calling it ``solely a private mission.''
Observers speculate that Clinton's primary mission is apparently to free two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were apprehended on March 17 near the border area between China and North Korea.
The two were working with Current TV, co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore, and were reportedly filming the harsh life of North Korean female defectors there.
They were sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp for illegal entry and hostile acts following a trial.
Clinton is expected to meet with North Korean officials on this matter and hopefully take the two reporters home with him.
Some reports said that incumbent officials from the Obama administration were not included in the entourage because of the administration's principle to separately deal with political and humanitarian issues.
However, analysts said the former U.S. President would possibly discuss political issues including the North's nuclear program.
Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, said during his visit to Seoul last month that the United States could offer a "comprehensive package" to North Korea if it gives up its nuclear ambitions.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton's wife, also indicated that Washington was even considering the normalization of diplomatic ties with the secretive state in return for nuclear disarmament.
North Korea declared a boycott of the six-party denuclearization talks in response to U.N. condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch.
Pyongyang's second nuclear test on May 25 and launch of missiles also resulted in the tougher U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874.
Former President Kim Dae-jung had advised Clinton to visit North Korea during their meeting in Seoul last May, according to Rep. Park Jie-won, a long-time aide to the former head of state.
Rep. Park quoted Kim as having advised Clinton to visit Pyongyang as an envoy to end the deadlock in inter-Korean relations and Washington-Pyongyang ties. Upon hearing the advice, Clinton was said to have promised that he would convey the proposal to his wife and President Obama.
During his presidency, Clinton was an ardent supporter of Kim's ``Sunshine Policy'' of engaging North Korea.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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