(2nd LD) Hyundai chief extends N. Korea trip for second time

(ATTN: RECASTS lead, UPDATES to highlight expectation of Kim meeting, worker's release)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- The chairwoman of South Korea's Hyundai Group extended
her North Korea trip for a second time on Thursday, the company said, raising
speculation she had a good chance of meeting with the country's leader over a
detained employee.
Hyun Jung-eun was due to return later in the afternoon, ending a trip that had
already been extended by one day in order to secure the release of a Hyundai
worker who has been detained since late March. Seoul officials said there were no
indications yet to suggest that Hyun has met with the North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il, who was reportedly out of town.
"I just received a phone call (from Hyun's entourage in Pyongyang). Chairman Hyun
extended her stay for one more day," Cho Kun-shik, chief of Hyundai Asan Corp.,
the group's North Korea business arm, told reporters before heading to a joint
park north of the border. He did not say whether any reason was given.
The Unification Ministry said it will approve Hyundai's request for the extension.
North Korea invited Hyun to Pyongyang in the wake of former U.S. President Bill
Clinton's visit there to meet with its leader and bring two home detained
American journalists last week.
The Hyundai Asan employee, only known by his family name Yu, is being detained
incommunicado on accusations of criticizing the North's political system and
trying to persuade a local woman to defect to the South. The 44-year-old
technician was working at the joint park in Kaesong that was developed by his
firm.
Hyundai also faces mounting deficits from its US$1.2 billion worth North Korea
joint ventures that were suspended or slowed down last year as inter-Korean
relations unraveled.
Watchers assume Hyun was delaying her return, expecting to meet Kim later in the
day or on Friday.
Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said it is "not appropriate" to interpret
reasons for the extension. "We are looking for the early release of the detained
worker," he said.
The North's Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday that Kim visited a
naval university and watched a play in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province. The
reports, as is customary, did not provide the time of his activities, but their
timing suggests he likely stayed outside Pyongyang the whole day, government
sources said.
North Korea customarily does not prenotify visiting South Koreans of a scheduled
meeting with the reclusive leader until the last minute. Kim met with Hyun during
visits in 2005 and 2007 to seal tour deals.
North Korea's invitation of Hyun was widely seen as a signal that it will free
the Hyundai worker in return for unknown benefits. Her Pyongyang visit was her
first after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office last year.
But even if Hyun returns home without seeing him, "that doesn't necessarily mean
Mr. Yu won't be released," ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said.
It was not immediately known whether Kim has returned to Pyongyang. Hyun was
still staying at the Paekhwawon State Guest House in the capital as of Thursday
morning, Hyundai Asan spokesman Kim Ha-young said.
Experts believe she will also play a mediating role between the two governments
whose relations rapidly deteriorated over the past year.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)