South Korean President Heads North

South Korea's President, Roh Moo-hyan has left Seoul to travel to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, for only the second summit between the two sides. The first summit led to the former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his "sunshine policy" of rapprochement with the North. Since then, rail and road links have been reconnected and families divided between the two countries have been granted reunions, if only briefly. But critics say the South's attempts at friendship and large donations of aid have failed to break down the impoverished north's isolationism or improve its human rights record. The l950-l953 war between the two sides has never formally ended, but Seoul has promoted hopes for a permanent truce.