S. Korean FM, French envoy to discuss N. Korean issue

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan was to
brief a visiting high-profile French envoy later Wednesday on Seoul's efforts to
resolve the North Korean nuclear problem and improve inter-Korean ties, Yu's
aides said.
Jack Lang, President Nicolas Sarkozy's special envoy on Pyongyang, arrived here
Tuesday for a weeklong stay. Last week, Sarkozy appointed the former culture
minister to assess the possible contributions his country could make in dealing
with the nuclear crisis and breaking the communist nation's diplomatic isolation.
"Minister Yu will have a luncheon meeting with him to discuss general issues on
North Korea," a foreign ministry official said. The main purpose of Lang's trip
here is to gather information on the overall situation pertinent to the North
Korean nuclear issue, added the official.
Lang reportedly plans to visit North Korea from Nov. 9-10 but it is unknown whom
he will meet there.
France and other European nations have been active in trying to help resolve the
nuclear crisis and aid the impoverished nation.
Diplomatic sources said the French president is especially seeking to reach out
to North Korea as part of efforts to expand his influence in global security.
Lang is scheduled to meet Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, who oversees Seoul's
policy on Pyongyang, on Wednesday afternoon and pay a courtesy call on President
Lee Myung-bak and National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o on Thursday.
He also plans to travel to the southern port city of Busan later this week to
attend an international film festival.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)