WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter may soon travel to North Korea as part of his efforts, not always fruitful, to broker the resumption of dialogue and win the release of a Korean-American man detained there, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.| Sure, but this time he has to stay there... |
| Like with Rodman, only more predictable... |
"North Korea appears to have invited him to visit," the source said.
If Carter makes a trip to Pyongyang, he is expected to use it as a chance to request the release of Kenneth Bae, a tour operator held in the North for nearly half a year, according to another source. Efforts to free him have taken further urgency following Pyongyang's announcement last week he would stand trial on unspecified charges of crimes against the state.
The State Department would not talk openly about Carter's possible visit to the North. Carter doesn't need to give prior notice to the U.S. government or get permission from it for any trip to North Korea, a department official pointed.
"You need to speak to President Carter's office about any questions regarding his alleged travel," the official said on background.
An email inquiry to Carter's press secretary, Deanna Congilio, led to an automatic reply, "I am out of the office on leave."
Officials at the South Korean Embassy in Washington said they have not heard about the issue. The official expressed doubt that Carter will bring Bae back home or produce any breakthrough in coaxing Pyongyang to return to the bargaining table.
"But we don't rule out the likelihood that former President Carter will visit North Korea as a private citizen since he is a member of The Elders," the official said. The Elders is an independent group of about 10 former heads of state.