The World - News from Jan. 2, 1989

North Korean President Kim Il Sung invited his South Korean counterpart, President Roh Tae Woo, and six other political and religious leaders to a political conference to discuss the reunification of Korea, North Korean media reported. In a New Year’s speech, Kim said the meeting should include leaders of the four main South Korean political parties, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the south, and others. Roh, in his New Year’s speech, said 1989 will be a turning point for ending 43 years of confrontation between north and south. He did not respond directly to Kim’s invitation, which did not refer to Roh by name but only as leader of his party.