SEOUL, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak may meet with a North Korean delegation in Seoul attending the funeral of former President Kim Dae-jung, sources say.
An unnamed administration official said Lee is considering such a move amid speculation the North Korean visitors may be seeking a meeting to convey a personal message to Lee from their leader, Kim Jong Il, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Saturday.
Lee Saturday was meeting with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, who was fresh from an encounter with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yang Gon.
"There would have been no reason for Minister Hyun to have lunch with the president unless the North Koreans asked to meet with President Lee," the unnamed official told Yonhap.
A six-member delegation from North Korea arrived Friday to pay respects to Kim Dae-jung, who died Tuesday. The delegation is reportedly headed by Kim Ki Nam, a Workers' Party official with close ties to Kim Jong Il.
