President Roh Moo-hyun may cross the military demarcation line on foot during his overland trip to Pyongyang for next week's inter-Korean summit.

A government official says that the president's crossing of the inter-Korean border as a symbolic gesture is being discussed.

The South Korean summit delegation will take the Gyeongui highway to reach the North Korean capital the via border city of Gaesong.

Under the proposed plan, Roh and his entourage will get out of their vehicles after passing customs, immigration and quarantine procedures and the last guard post on the South side. They will then walk some 200 to 300 meters across the military demarcation line.

But some officials are reluctant to endorse the proposal, citing a number of obstacles including security concerns. One official cautioned that it's only an idea, adding that nothing has been decided yet.