By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
Liberal political parties and politicians have been calling for a summit between President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, irrespective of the lukewarm stance of the United States.
In a statement Monday, the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) said the two Koreas should hold a summit as soon as possible.
Rep. Shin Ki-nam, chairman of the National Assembly Information Committee, told reporters last Friday he believes a summit within the year is feasible, hinting that the South and North have already reached a certain level of progress. Shin was formerly chairman of the pro-government Uri Party.
There was speculation that National Intelligence Service director Kim Man-bok might have suggested a summit to the North in May, though the NIS dismissed it.
Ahead of Dec. 19 presidential election, conservative Grand National Party (GNP) is seen as a hindrance to the speculated summit.
GNP lawmaker Song Young-sun quoted a poll, indicating that 50.7 percent of the people said the government's engagement policy toward North Korea should be revised.
Citing the survey, she stressed that 56 percent of the 1,008 respondents said a Roh-Kim summit would be impossible this year.
Cheong Wa Dae is taking a wait-and-see attitude. ``President Roh has not issued any instruction for summit preparations,'' said presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon.
However, Cheon added the presidential office is collecting public opinions and reviewing various scenarios on the summit.
Ex-President Kim Dae-jung _ who held the first, historic summit with leader Kim Jong-il in June 2000 _ told a provincial daily last Wednesday that the possibility of a summit within this year surpasses 50 percent.
Former Prime Minister and presidential hopeful Lee Hae-chan has said that the Roh administration has already begun preparations for a summit, spurred by progress in the six-party talks to end the North's nuclear facilities.