President Roh Moo-hyun will embark on a three-day visit to Pyongyang on Tuesday for summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The president and First Lady Kwon Yang-suk are expected to reach the military demarcation line (MDL) around nine a.m. Mr. Roh will then walk across the border, becoming the first South Korean president to do so. The scene will be aired live across the globe.

Arriving in the North Korean capital around noon, Mr. Roh is expected to have a brief welcome meeting with Kim at the Baekhwawon State Guesthouse, which is also where the South Korean leader will be staying.

Two rounds of formal summit talks are scheduled for the following day.

Following the summit sessions, the president will attend the Arirang Festival mass gymnastics performance on Wednesday evening.

During his three-day stay in the North, he will tour key economic facilities and also stop by the Gaesong Industrial Complex before returning home Thursday.