Philharmonic Orchestra to Make N Korea Trip

New York's Philharmonic Orchestra will make a historic trip to North Korea in February, it has announced. Orchestra president Zarin Mehta said it would play in the capital Pyongyang on February 26. The reclusive communist country's ministry of culture sent an invitation to the orchestra in August. This is the first US cultural visit to North Korea, and it is being seen as a breakthrough in the countries' tense relationship. Mr. Mehta said he had spent six days in Pyongyang in October looking into concert venues and making other arrangements for the trip. The North Korean trip follows in the tradition of cultural visits which have played a role in US diplomacy with communist countries.

Talks to Begin at Korea's Summit

Talks are set to begin in Pyongyang, on the second day of a historic summit between North and South Korea. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to announce considerable financial support to the North, in both aid and direct investment. On Monday, Mr. Roh and his wife swept up to Pyongyang in a motorcade, to be greeted by Kim Jong-il, North Korea's reclusive leader and cheering crowds. Correspondents say expectations for any lasting progress are modest. Despite the billions of dollars spent since the last North-South summit seven years ago, the North remains impoverished and isolated.

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.

President Bush Pushed On Korea Peace Treaty

President Bush has said a peace treaty with North Korea can be achieved once Pyongyang ends its nuclear weapons program. During an odd exchange with his South Korean counterpart, he restated his position. The South Korean asked him to be clearer on the issue. President Bush singled out Burma for criticism earlier, when he called for the strengthening of democracy across Asia.

Exiled Son Returns to North Korea

The eldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has returned from China to Pyongyang to work, a South Korean daily has reported. Kim Jong-nam, age 36, is working at a key agency of the ruling Worker's Party, the Choson Ilbo said, quoting an intelligence source. This has prompted speculation that a remoured rift between father and son ma have been mended.