(LEAD) N. Korean delegation arrives in Seoul to mourn Kim Dae-jung

(ATTN: UPDATES with more detail, background)
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean delegation consisting of top aides to
the North's leader Kim Jong-il arrived in Seoul on a special flight Friday to
mourn the death of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.
The visit by top-ranking North Korean officials, the first since the inauguration
of conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in February 2008, is
expected to offer a rare chance for high-level inter-Korean dialogue.
The North's Korea Central News Agency reported the six-member delegation departed
from Pyongyang earlier in the day, saying it left "upon the authorization" of the
country's leader.
The delegation arrived at Gimpo International Airport around 3 p.m., some 10
minutes earlier than scheduled. They were to head straight to the National
Assembly, where a memorial altar for the late president has been set up.
Officials said their further schedule has yet to be set.
The makeup of the delegation and the decision to stay overnight in Seoul raised
speculation that a high-level inter-Korean dialogue may be held during the visit.

The group includes Kim Ki-nam, a Workers' Party Central Committee secretary most
frequently included in the North Korean leader's entourage in public activities,
and Kim Yang-gon, head of the party's unification front department and long-time
architect of inter-Korean relations. North Korean media called them "special
envoys" authorized by Kim Jong-il.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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