They suggested that with South Korea's opposition, which has traditionally taken a tougher line with the North, set to win December's presidential vote, Kim is aiming to secure deals while conditions are still favourable.

Whatever his motives, officials were upbeat about Wednesday's announcement of the August 28-30 summit, only the second in the countries' history.

They said the Pyongyang meeting would help revive the mood of rapprochement after the 2000 summit, which led to cross-border economic projects and family reunions.

It could also give fresh momentum to a six-nation nuclear disarmament deal under which the North has promised to shut down its atomic programme in return for energy aid and diplomatic concessions.

South Korea's opposition Grand National Party -- reviled by the communist North's official media as "a treacherous pro-US conservative force" -- is far ahead of pro-government parties in opinion polls some four months before the presidential vote, although neither camp has finalised its candidate.

Korea University professor Nam Sung-Wook told AFP that Pyongyang seemed to want a summit now "to fan anti-GNP sentiment and help support a pro-government candidate."

Dongguk University professor Koh Yu-Hwan agreed there was a political reason. "The Pyongyang regime seems to be worried about the direction of inter-Korean relations if the GNP secures an election victory."

The GNP itself branded the summit announcement an election stunt to boost the chances of President Roh Moo-Hyun's supporters, a charge the government denies.

But Sejong Institute analyst Paik Hak-Soon said politics was a secondary factor.

"The summit comes at a time when a major change is emerging in and around the Korean peninsula. It will expedite this process," Paik said.

He said the presidential election could be a consideration in Kim's desire to push for the summit this month.

"But there are fundamental reasons -- survival of the regime, its security and economic development," Paik told AFP.