TV Chosun News reports the South Korean special delegation to North Korea left Seoul this morning Seoul time to fly directly to Pyongyang for a one day visit with North Korean officials. The group is carrying a personal letter from President Moon Jae In of South Korea to Chairman Kim Jong Un. They are expected to begin talks with their counterparts in Pyongyang at nine am, Korea time. The group intends to discuss the timing of a planned upcoming summit between President Moon and Chairman Kim, and also to set the date for the opening of the joint liaison office between the two Korean states being established in Kaesong, North Korea. Also, it is expected that the special delegation would attempt to function as a mediator in the stalemated talks between North Korea and the United States. They also hope to meet with Kim Jong Un to discuss pending matters.
Update Sep 5:
Kim Jong Un seated with the South Korean delegation at a state dinner. Present with Kim are his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his sister, Kim Yo Jong. South Korean Intelligence Director Seo Hyun, sits between the two women. Jong Hui Yong, Blue House National Security chief, sits between Chairman Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yong Chol, Vice Chairman. The acerbic Ri Son Kwon, Reunification Committee Chairman, is lower left. (Source Channel A News Top Ten Sep. 5)
Kim Jong Un was out of sight for 16 days until he met with the South Korean Special Delegation on Sep 5. The results of the meeting will be briefed to the public on Thurs. A major objective of the next North South summit is to defuse military tensions between North and South, with a view toward improving the environment for denuclearization and explore the possibility of mediating differences between the US and North Korea.
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