Cheong Wa Dae denies speculation on imminent inter-Korean summit

SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said
Sunday that there has been no specific discussion with North Korea on holding an
inter-Korean summit, dismissing media speculation about a possible summit this
year.
"As of now, there has not been any specific discussion regarding an inter-Korean
summit," Lee Dong-kwan, senior presidential secretary for public information,
told reporters.
The remark came after President Lee Myung-bak said in an interview with British
public broadcaster BBC in Switzerland Friday that he may be able to hold a summit
with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il sometime this year.
"The true intention of President Lee's remark is that he wishes to change the
existing paradigm of the inter-Korean relations," Secretary Lee said.
"The president's remarks also mark a fundamental reflection on past inter-Korean
summit talks arranged as one-off political events. It means leaders (of the two
Koreas) can meet anytime, if need be."
The secretary, who accompanied President Lee on his weeklong trip to India and
Switzerland, went on to say, "The president thinks that he can forgo an
inter-Korean summit during his term if it is arranged as a political event."
He noted it is contradictory for North Korea to attempt to discuss national
reconciliation and peace while holding onto its nuclear arsenal. The president
returned home on Saturday.
(END)