North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il arrived in Seoul on Wednesday to participate in the inter-Korean prime ministerial talks.

 

Kim arrived in Seoul at 11:00 AM (0200 GMT) on a direct flight by North Korea's Air Koryo. South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung greeted the 43-member North Korean delegation led by Kim at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport.

 

"I am glad to see you," Kim said to Lee before moving to the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill hotel, where the three-day talks will be held.

 

Kim is expected to meet with his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo after arriving at the hotel. The two prime ministers will hold a plenary meeting at 16:00 PM (0700 GMT) and then participate in a welcome dinner host by Han.

 

South Korean officials said the two prime ministers will focus on follow-up measures to agreements reached at October's inter- Korean summit during their three-day talks, such as detailed measures for inter-Korean economic cooperation.

 

It was the first time that South and North Korea held their prime ministerial talks since 1992.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)