North Korea cool about visit

SEOUL (Reuter) - The South Korean Prime Minister, Chung Won-shik, arrived to a cool reception in the Communist North yesterday and told his hosts improved relations hinged on the North's willingness to be open about its nuclear programme.

Mr Chung and his 89-member entourage are in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, for an eighth round of meetings at prime ministerial level between the enemies. A Southern press report described the reception of Mr Chung's delegation as 'cool', with few North Koreans recognising the visitors as they drove from the border and then through the almost-deserted streets of the capital.

It is the first high-level Korean meeting since China, the North's long-time ally, last month signalled a diplomatic sea change by establishing ties with Seoul.