One of South Korea's most prominent businessmen has unexpectedly extended avisit to North Korea, amid speculation that he will hold a meeting with the country's secretive ruler, Kim Jong-il.

Chung Ju-yung, the founder of the Hyundai busness group, left on Tuesday with a gift of five hundred cattle for his second round of talks on major investments in North Korea.

Hyundai is planning to begin tours for South Korean visitors in the North next month, and is also proposing joint ventures in a number of industrial projects.