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SEOUL -- A leading and renowned artist of North Korea has been confirmed to be among Pyongyang's delegation preparing for next week's summit between North Korean and U.S. leaders in Hanoi, spawning speculation that preparations might be underway for art performances.

Jang Ryong-sik, the head and chief conductor of the North's State Merited Chorus, has been seen in multiple photos recently taken by Yonhap among the North Korean summit preparatory team currently staying in Hanoi.

The North Korean officials, including Jang, visited the Hanoi Opera House, where they reportedly met with their U.S. counterparts. It has not been confirmed why they toured the opera house and what they discussed with the U.S. officials.

His inclusion in the delegation, however, has prompted speculation that he might be arranging performances by a North Korean art troupe during the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump from Wednesday to Thursday next week in the Vietnamese capital.

Jang led a group of North Korean artists to South Korea early last year to join performances in Seoul and Pyeongchang, the host of the Winter Olympics. He was also among the artists who performed in Beijing last month, the first performance of its kind in three years since the North's Moranbong Band called off a planned performance in Beijing at the last minute in 2015.
(Yonhap)

Lim Chang-won Reporter cwlim34@ajunews.com

Lim Chang-won cwlim34@ajunews.com

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