S. Korea delegations cross border to mourn Kim's death

A former South Korean first lady and a leading businesswoman crossed the border to North Korea Monday to pay respects to its late leader Kim Jong-Il. Lee Hee-Ho, 89, widow of late president Kim Dae-Jung, and Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jung-Eun, 56, will also meet officials during their two-day trip. "I hope that our visit to the North will help improve South-North relations," Yonhap news agency quoted Lee as saying before she crossed the border with her aides. Kim Dae-Jung and Kim Jong-Il held the first-ever inter-Korea summit in 2000 and Hyundai pioneered cross-border business projects. The delegations are due to hold a lunch meeting with unidentified officials in Pyongyang later Monday before paying last respects to Kim, according to the South's unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs. It was unclear whether the officials would include Kim Jong-Un, the late leader's youngest son and successor. His father died of a heart attack on December 17 at the age of 69. The Hyundai Group chief had met Kim Jong-Il several times in the past. The delegations are scheduled to return home Tuesday, before the state funeral Wednesday. The unification ministry, which must authorise all cross-border contacts, is allowing only the two delegations to visit Pyongyang, sparking complaints from the North that Seoul is not showing respect for its late leader.