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No talk on Saturday between Lee Myung-bak, DPRK envoys

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-22 15:14

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R) comforts Lee Hee-ho (L), widow of deceased former President Kim Dae-jung, as National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o (C) looks on, after Lee made a call of condolence at a memorial altar at the National Assembly in Seoul August 21, 2009. [Agencies]

SEOUL: Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Myung-bak will not meet delegation from Pyongyang within Saturday, an official at the presidential office of Chongwadae said, according to a YTN report.

Related readings: DPRK envoys talk with ROK minister DPRK mourns ex-ROK leader, 'signals thaw' in relations DPRK officials mourn Kim Dae-jung DPRK condolence group in Seoul DPRK to send mourners to ROK

ROK president's meeting with DPRK delegation is "difficult to be arranged on Saturday", Yonhap reported.

Delegation from Pyongyang extended their stay to Sunday, the television also reported, citing an Chogwadae official with anonymity.

The delegation, arriving in Seoul Friday afternoon for paying respect to late ROK President Kim Dae-jung, was scheduled to departure from Seoul in 14:00 (0500 GMT) on Saturday.