While the first summit in 2000 was seen as a landmark event that led to an easing of tensions, the latest meeting has met a far more muted response, due to a vague agenda and doubts that Roh will be able to achieve much.
It has not helped that the meeting is again in Pyongyang, despite an agreement in 2000 that Kim Jong-il would head south for the next one.
"The visit also helps Kim Jong-il's legitimacy. By agreeing to once again go north, South Korean leaders help play to the (North's) domestic image of Kim Jong-il as the 'real' Korean emperor, with Roh (gifts in hand) being seen as playing a tributary visit," said Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank.
CROSSING THE FORBIDDEN LINE
While Kim Dae-jung flew from Seoul to Pyongyang, Roh began his trip by walking across the heavily fortified border and then driving in a long motorcade to the Northern capital.
"I am crossing this forbidden line of division," Roh said as he stepped over an 80-cm (31-inch) yellow strip on the road on which were written the words "peace and prosperity".
"There is nothing in sight, but this line is the wall that has left our nation divided for half a century. Because of this wall, our nation has suffered so much pain."
Analysts say South Korea may pledge billions of dollars to help raise its communist neighbour's ruined economy.
Roh held a formal meeting with Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament, who was later to host a dinner for him. Kim Jong-il was not scheduled to attend but might show up, pool reports from South Korean media said.
Surveys show South Koreans favour the summit and eventual unification, but want the process to be gradual, fearing that the cost of absorbing the impoverished North would wreck their own economy, Asia's fourth largest.
Critics accuse the unpopular Roh of using the summit to fan dreams of unification to improve the fortunes of his liberal camp, which is trailing badly in opinion polls ahead of December's presidential election.
Roh is constitutionally barred from running again, and the North's official media routinely blast the opposition conservative party, hot favourites to win the presidency, with promises to be tougher on an errant Pyongyang.
First official talks between the Korean leaders are scheduled for Wednesday, with Roh due to return home on Thursday.
