Pyongyang Proposes Resumption of Talks with Seoul

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 25, 2002

Pyongyang Proposes Resumption of Talks with Seoul

A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday proposed a working contact with South Korea early next month to discuss the resumption of ministerial-level talks.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday proposed a working contact with South Korea early next month to discuss the resumption of ministerial-level talks.

In a message sent to Jeong Se-hyun, South Korean unification minister and chief negotiator in inter-Korean ministerial talks, head of the DPRK delegation Kim Ryong Song proposed to hold a working contact of delegates at DPRK's Mount Kumgang resort in early August.

The message was carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

The meeting would discuss the 7th inter-Korean ministerial talks to be held in Seoul and issues of re-linking the railway between Seoul and Sin Ui Ju in the DPRK and the reunion of separated families and relatives, said the message.

Inter-Korean talks were cut off after the 6th ministerial meeting was held in Mount Kumgang in November 2000.

In the message, Kim Ryong Song called on the south to take positive steps to bring inter-Korean relations to a normal track and promote reconciliation, unity and cooperation in light with the June 15 Joint Declaration issued after a historic summit between the two sides in June 2000.

Inter-Korean relations were seriously impaired by the recent naval skirmish between the DPRK and South Korea. Navies from the two countries exchanged gunfire around a disputed sea border on the Yellow Sea, leaving four South Korean soldiers dead and one missing. 19 others were wounded. A South Korean patrol boat sank.

Kim Ryong Song expressed his regret over the incident, calling for joint efforts to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

"Feeling regretful for the unforeseen armed clash that occurredin the West Sea recently, we are of the view that both sides should make joint efforts to prevent the recurrence of similar incident in the future," said the message.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Pyongyang to Celebrate National Reunification Day with Seoul

DPRK's Plane Flies on Direct Inter-Korean Air Route

Missing Worker Found, Relatives Mourn ( 5 Messages)

China's Economy Grew 7.8 Percent in First Half Year ( 18 Messages)

Chinese Office Software Challenges Microsoft's Win98 ( 13 Messages)

Gang of 66 Criminals Get Heavy Sentences ( 74 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 3 Messages)

How to View Major Problems in China's Income Distribution System ( 134 Messages)