Preparing for Pyongyang
by Richardson ~ August 17th, 2007. Filed under: Diplomacy, Engagement, Korean Politics.Update: OneFreeKorea beat me to it, and with commentary.
Original post:
Via Dynamic-Korea.com (h/t reader):
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun will make an overland trip to Pyongyang later this month for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, pool reports said on Tuesday (Aug. 14), quoting a Korean government official.
And diplomats in Seoul are getting giddy with preparations for the “entourage of 200” going to Pyongyang.
In accordance with the August 5th agreement, North and South Korea held the first preparatory meeting for the 2nd Inter-Korean Summit in Gaeseong on August 14, 2007. At the meeting, the two sides discussed procedural details on the second summit meeting and with the approval of the two head delegates, agreed on the following. Also, the two sides agreed to continue discussions, on need basis, through various working-level contacts, advance team discussions, and exchanges of documents.
1. Size and composition of delegation
The South Korean delegation will comprise the President and First Lady as well as an entourage of 200 people.
2. Agenda
The agenda will be based on the August 5th Agreement.
3. Schedule
President Roh Moo-hyun and Chairman Kim Jong-il of the National Defense Commission will meet with each other and hold talks, and there will be talks with President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim Yong-nam.
The two sides will continue consultations on schedule of the visit based on what the two already discussed today. The North agreed to notify the South of the detailed schedule including visits to various sites as soon as it is set.
Special attendants from the South will have a meeting with North Korean from various sectors.
4. Travel procedures
The Southern delegation will use the road along the west coast, via Gaeseong, when traveling to and coming from Pyongyang.
President Roh will use the presidential vehicle in traveling to the North and during his stay in the North. Security vehicles will accompany the presidential vehicle.
The transportation of official, special, and general attendants will be discussed further.
The two sides agreed that the list of delegates from the South will be sent to the North by August 21 (seven days prior to the summit). The list will include each member’s name, sex, affiliation, position, and a photo. Changes made after the sending of the list will be notified to the North through telephone in Panmunjom, followed by a notice in document.
5. Advance team
South Korean advance team will consist of thirty members, who will be dispatched seven days prior to the departure of delegation. The list of the team members will be notified to the North four days prior to the day of dispatch.
The advance team will use the road by the west coast via Gaeseong when traveling to the North.
The schedule of the advance team and specific procedural matters will be determined by both sides through discussions upon the arrival of the advance team in North Korea.
6. Guarantee of convenience
The North side will provide all necessary convenience for the members of the South Korean delegation who will stay in North Korea, including room and board, transportation, telecommunication and medical needs.
During the period of stay in North Korea, the South Korean delegation will follow North Korean side’s guide and order.
During the period of stay in the North, the North side will guarantee the delivery of official pouch through Panmunjom, one to two occasions a day.
7. Guarantee of personal safety
The North side agreed to guarantee the personal safety of the member of the South Korean delegation who will be visiting North Korea.
The North side will guarantee non-aggression on condition that the members of the Southern delegation carry item(s) appropriate for the purpose of the visit, but cargoes will go through necessary customs inspection.
8. Name tags and identification of the attendants and the press
Both sides will use name tags for the attendants according to each side’s convenience.
The press will wear armbands.
South Korean attendants and the press will carry with them visitor’s passports issued by the Minister of Unification of South Korea.
Since the North side is considering making name tags for attendants and the press, in respecting the North’s opinion, this issue will be further discussed in the protocol working-level contact.
9. Signs and facilities for meeting(s) and summit talks
This issue will be discussed by the advance team.
10. Records of meeting(s) and summit talks
For the records of meetings and talks, both sides will use stenographers, audio and video recording according to each side’s convenience.
11. Press coverage for meeting(s) and summit talks
Press coverage for meeting(s) and summit talks will be done according to each side’s convenience, and a joint press statement can be drawn and announced.
The North side will guarantee, to the utmost, necessary personnel and equipment for a live coverage, and the issue of taking a satellite broadcasting vehicle to the North will be discussed and decided at the working-level contact.
For the live coverage, the North side will guarantee necessary assistance and convenience needed by the Southern press for direct coverage and production.
12. Press activities
The North side will guarantee press activities of the South Korean press during their stay in the North.
Both sides will work toward accuracy and fairness in reporting.
13. Other procedural matters
The use of direct telephone line already in place between Seoul and Pyongyang and the use of satellite telecommunication network will be discussed at the telecommunication working-level contact.
The working-level contacts in the four areas will be held on August 16.
Details on reception of the president will be discussed through exchanges of documents and through the advance team. Details on the schedule including visits to various sites will also be further discussed.



August 17th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Aww, that is so sweet. Does Kim give lube too?
August 18th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Now likely to be posteponed until October. On a personnal note, I have a 4-days tourist trip planned for early September (by train from Dandong) and it also looks compromised!
August 18th, 2007 at 9:46 am
http://www.dprkstudies.org/2007/08/18/2nd-north-south-summit-postponed-due-to-flooding/
You were probably writing while I was posting!
August 18th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
I also read somewhere the mass games were going to be postponed as well. Let me see if I can find it again…
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/2007/08/17/118792/North-Korea.htm
“…
The show is being staged twice this year after last year’s event was called off following floods. It remains unclear if the current showings would be affected by the latest storms that the North claims have caused widespread damage to the country’s infrastructure.”
Oh ok, so I was wrong, it is not clear if the games were postponed or will be postponed. So GregorSamsa, was your trip to the mass games?
August 19th, 2007 at 4:05 am
Thanx for looking anyway:) Following the floods of last year, news agencies reported that the country was inaccessible to tourists although travel agents were still convoying happy foreigners to DPRK. Yes indeed, we were supposed to attend the mass game (as I think every tourist group do during that period as revenue generated is big - tickets range from a minimum of ~50$ to a lot more). I booked a “common” 4day/3nights trip with a Chinese agent based in Dandong which is less pricey than western agencies journeys (and the fun of being with a Chinese group is priceless!). I will give them a ring next week to see how is it looking there. Will keep you informed.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Gregor, good luck with your trip.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:26 pm
According to travel agent, Water levels are lowering in flooded areas (incl. Pyongyang). Sinujiu-Pyongyang rail link is still running and foreigners allowed in. Looks good!
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Give us a report once you get back along with pics.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Of course, the moneymaking Arirang Festival is still on despite the flooding. But the summit is delayed. Priorities.
I second Jack’s request for lots of pics!
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
And my wife will second me on this as i smoke too much and drink coffee which imply shaking a bit! It makes me think that Dprk travel pictures found on internet blogs are usually impressive, not an easy job to compete!