DPRK delegation to arrive in Seoul for condolatory visit

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A DPRK delegation is scheduled to arrive in Seoul later Friday to pay respect to late President Kim Dae-jung, marking the first visit by DPRK officials since President Lee Myung-bak took office last year.

The group, composed of members the DPRK called "special envoys," is known to arrive at Seoul's Gimpo Airport at 03:00 p.m. (0400 GMT) and to head for the National Assembly where the memorial altar is set up.

The delegation, however, will not be able to attend a state funeral for the late leader as it is scheduled at the National Assembly on Sunday.

The DPRK earlier on Wednesday sent a fax message to the Kim DaeJung Peace Center, a non-profit organization established by the former president, expressing DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's condolence as well as identifying the delegation members and other details of their two-day trip.

The group is led by Kim Ki-nam, a Workers' Party Central Committee secretary most frequently included in DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's entourage in public activities.

The South Korean government approved the trip "in honor of the bereaved family's opinion and in consideration of inter-Korean relations," Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said in a briefing.

With respect to widely prevalent expectation that an inter-Korean meeting may be held during the delegation's visit, Seoul officials said "no meetings with President Lee were scheduled."

However, there still is an open possibility for inter-Korean contacts as officials mentioned "to decide according to the situation after they have arrived."

Former President Kim Dae-jung passed away Tuesday of pneumonia-related complications at the age of 85.