The government has given a civilian group the green light to hold a face-to-face meeting with North Korean officials regarding former first lady Lee Hee-ho’s visit to the North.
 
Unification Ministry Spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said in a news briefing Monday that his ministry approved a cross-border visit by five officials of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center.

The spokesman said that detailed discussions with the North are necessary on the timing of the visit and the size of the South Korean delegation.
 
The center’s director Kim Sung-jae and his four colleagues will meet with five officials from North Korea’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee in the North Korean border city of Gaeseong on Tuesday. The parties will arrange the schedule of a visit by Lee, the first lady to late President Kim Dae-jung.
 
Previously, Director Kim Sung-jae said that the former first lady is expected to visit the North no later than August 15, since his center has already agreed with North Korea on some particulars regarding Lee’s visit.
 
According to the agreement, the 92-year-old will visit the North via an overland route, stay at the Baekhwawon Guesthouse and hold a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.