JAKARTA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will pay a two-day visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on July 18, in a bid to ease the Korean Peninsula crisis.

    And then he will go to South Korea, foreign ministry said here Friday.

    Yuri Thamrin, Director General for Asia and Pacific of foreign ministry, said President Susilo would hear directly from the leaders of the countries about the latest development of the crisis.

    "I can confirm that president will do his visit to the Korean peninsula, on 18 and 19 (of July) he will be in North Korea, (July) 19 will (arrive) in South Korea until 22," said Thamrin.

    Earlier this week, UN former chief arms inspector Hans Blix said that he expected the visit may cool tension, as the president has a mediating influence.

    "Of course we don't want to see the situation in the Korean peninsula become worse...and of course we hope that every party can forbear," said Thamrin. Enditem