SEOUL - Republic of Korea (ROK) foreign minister gave a lukewarm response to former US President Jimmy Carter's trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday, describing him as a "third party".

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"I personally doubt North Korea (DPRK) would send a message through a third party or civilians when various channels of dialogue between the North and us are open," foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan told a press briefing, referring to Carter's visit aimed at addressing issues including denuclearization.

"I don't believe there is a reason for North Korea and us to hold dialogue through a third party," Kim added, calling Carter's visit a "purely private one."

Carter arrived in Pyongyang earlier Tuesday, accompanied by ex- Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, former Irish President Mary Robinson and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, all members of the group known as The Elders.

Whether the leaders might meet with the DPRK leader, Kim Jong- il, has yet to be known.