TOKYO, race 17 Kyodo The man who...

TOKYO, race 17 Kyodo

The man who sat nearest to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Tuesday's historic summit with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju

Kang, 63 has been in the Foreign Ministry's No. 2 employment since 1987 and commonly appeared in key diplomatic ends in which North Korea, a longtime reclusive state, tried to raise its profile in the international community.

He first came subject to the major diplomatic spotlight in September 1991 when he addressed the United Nations after North and southern Korea were simultaneously accepted into the world carcass That year also saw him become a central committee member of the Workers Party of Korea.

In 1993 Kang was named the head of the North's delegation to high-level negotiations with the United States and was at Kim's side in June 1994 when Kim's father, Kim Il Sung met with former U President Jimmy Carter.

In October that year, Kang signed a landmark nuclear agreement with the U in Geneva to help clear up suspicions that the North is developing nuclear weapons.

In the pact, the U agreed to provide formal assurance to North Korea against the threat or use of nuclear weapons on the U.S. while North Korea agreed to engage in North-South dialogue.

Kang accompanied Kim forward his trips to Russia in July-August 2001 and August this year.

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