American experts due in Pyongyang in mixed expectations

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- A group of seven former U.S. government officials and
experts were en route to North Korea Monday in the first major civilian exchange
between the two nations since new American President Barack Obama took office
last month, officials here said.

The visit, which has garnered considerable interest as it may provide a glimpse
of Pyongyang's stance on the Obama administration, includes high-profile
academics and experts who could help shape Obama's foreign policy.
They are also the first Americans to go to the North since Pyongyang's
declaration Friday nullifying all non-aggression agreements with the South.
The group includes Stephen Bosworth, a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and
said to be a candidate for the post of special envoy to Pyongyang. Other
specialists in the group are Jonathan Pollack, a professor of Asian and Pacific
studies at the Naval War College, former Assistant Secretary of State Morton
Abramowitz, and Leon Sigal, director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security
Project at the Social Science Research Council.
"We have information that the group will enter Pyongyang around Tuesday via
Beijing," a South Korean foreign ministry official said, asking not to be named.
"We understand the media attention surrounding it, given the timing of the
visit."
The official downplayed the trip, however, saying it appears to be part of
routine academic exchange.
"It was scheduled a year ago and those experts make frequent visits to the
North," he pointed out.
Although foreign media have reported the academics and experts will likely meet
North Korea's top nuclear envoy Kim Kye-gwan and other senior officials, he said,
their itinerary will be decided after arrival there. "It is the usual way North
Korea works when receiving foreign guests," he noted.
Members of the group -- excluding Bosworth due to a scheduling conflict -- plan
to visit Seoul this weekend prior to returning home. South Korean government
officials said they have not scheduled meetings with them.
"I think they will meet South Korean experts on North Korea here," the foreign
ministry official said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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