Security tight for N. Korean delegation's overnight stay

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Security was tight and tense in and around a hotel in
Seoul, where a high-level North Korean delegation was staying during a two-day
trip to pay tribute to the late South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.
The six-member team, led by North Korean Workers' Party Secretary Kim Ki-nam,
arrived in Seoul earlier in the day and paid respects to the late president at a
memorial altar set up at the National Assembly.
Kim Dae-jung, who died of complications from pneumonia Tuesday, held the historic
first inter-Korean summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000. His
funeral will be held on Sunday.
After visiting the National Assembly, the delegation arrived at the Grand Hilton
Hotel in northern Seoul, where they were scheduled to spend a night. Seoul would
not disclose the visitors' itinerary, citing security reasons.
Surrounded by police guards, the North Korean delegates were briefly greeted by
hotel officials and headed to upper floors in an elevator. A police official said
there were some 100 police stationed in and outside the hotel.
The delegates were silent throughout their entry to the hotel, refusing to
respond when asked if they plan to meet with South Korean President Lee
Myung-bak.
Reporters and television crews swarmed the hotel, hoping to get a glimpse or
comments from the North Koreans, the first group of officials from Pyongyang to
visit since the Lee Myung-bak administration took office 18 months ago.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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