Second Round of Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks HeldThe second round of inter- Korean ministerial talks began at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang Wednesday morning.The delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( DPRK), headed by senior cabinet counselor Jon Kum-jin, and the South Korea delegation led by unification minister Park Jae-kyu, attended the talks. Inter-Korean tension reduction and economic cooperation will top the agenda of the three-day talks. The talks are expected to focus on establishing a military hot line, holding inter-Korean defense ministerial meetings, signing agreements on investment guarantees, avoidance of double taxation, and settlement of trade disputes. The issue of reconnecting the Seoul-Shinuiju railway line will also be discussed in the talks as the ground-breaking ceremony in South Korea is set for next month. The South Korean delegation will propose establishing a permanent meeting place for the families separated in the Korean War in 1950-1953. During the first talks in Seoul last month, the two sides agreed on connecting a railway and the reunion of 100 separated families. |
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