Lee Hee-ho, the widow of President Kim Dae-jung, has requested President Park Geun-hye’s permission to visit North Korea on a humanitarian mission, officials said Tuesday.

“I hope to visit North Korea one day, and I wish for the president’s permission,” Lee said in a meeting with Park at Cheong Wa Dae.

Park replied that she will seek an opportunity for Lee at a time that would suit the former first lady. 

All South Koreans are required to request the Seoul government’s permission and Pyongyang’s consent when travelling to North.

At the meeting, Park thanked Lee for her mission to help North Korean children suffering from poverty and hunger. The president mentioned Lee’s project to send winter scarves and hats, calling it necessary to convey a warm message to children in the North. The former first lady has been sending medical supplies and nutritional supplements to newborns in the North for the last seven years, her aides told Park.

It was their second encounter since Park entered office. Lee attended Park’s inaugural ceremony at the National Assembly in early 2013.

Late president Kim was an iconic progressive leader who came to power in 1998. He was the first opposition leader to take office.

Kim is regarded as a respectable figure in North Korea as he put efforts into reconciliation with Pyongyang. Kim held a historic inter-Korean summit in 2000 with then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of the incumbent leader Kim Jong-un. The late South Korean leader won the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year in recognition of his efforts to bring peace on the divided Korean peninsula.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)