Kim Il Sung dies, two weeks before an inter-Korean summit. President Kim Dae Jung proposes summit in his inauguration speech. North Korea doesn't respond. First high-level meeting in four years between the two Koreas collapses after North Korea refuses to discuss the reunion of separated families. Two Koreas hold vice-ministerial talks to discuss fertilizer aid to the North.
Talks collapse, partly because of a naval clash a week earlier in the Yellow Sea.
President Kim Dae Jung says the South is ready to help the North rebuild its economy. Two Koreas start secret talks in China on an inter-Korea summit. North and South Korea announce agreement on leaders' summit. Before bookmarking this page in your browser, click here . The Christian Science Publishing Society.