by Theresa Kim Hwa-young

The 10-member group is led by Lim Chae-jung, a seasoned member of the ruling Uri party. The visit officially aims at academic exchanges between the two Koreas.

Pyongyang (AsiaNews) – Lim Chae-jung, a lawmaker of the ruling Uri Party, arrived in Pyongyang today leading a 10-member delegation that aims at improving academic exchanges.

Observers believe that Lim, a seasoned politician who briefly served as the ruling party chairman last year, might play a hand in mediating the second round of the inter-Korean summit or that might be preparing a visit by former President Kim Dae-jung to Pyongyang next April.

But official sources said that "Lim is not visiting North Korea as a delegate of the ruling party"; however, the visit is in line with an agreement signed last January 12 promoting academic exchanges between the Uri  Party Foundation, the ruling party's policy institute, and the North's Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation.

The visit should end next Saturday.

• north
• south
• korea
• pyongyang
• parliamentary
• delegation
• visit
• academic
• exchange