DPRK Postpones 2nd North-south Authorities Talks

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has decided to postpone the second north- south authorities talks due on October 19 until October 25, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

Kim Ryong Song, head of the north side delegation to the north- south ministerial talks, informed Hong Sun Yong, chief of the south side delegation, of this decision through telephone Thursday.

"Your side suddenly 'discussed measures to cope with the movement of the DPRK army' and put the whole army and police on ' emergency alert' one week before the exchange of the fourth visiting groups of separated families and relatives and the Seoul visit of the taekwon-do exhibition team. This is quite contrary to the fundamental spirit of the June 15 north-south joint declaration and the points agreed upon at the fifth north-south ministerial talks," Kim said.

"Worse still, it is a hostile act toward our side that your side brought more air force from the United States under the pretext of filling up the 'military vacuum' with the humanitarian visit just ahead, though your side talks about the importance of the 'issue of separated families'," said Kim.

"Proceeding from this stand, our side demands your side immediately take steps to create circumstances and an atmosphere acceptable to the dialogue partner by all forms of efforts if your side has a willingness to respect the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration and make reconciliation and unity with the north," he said.

"We assure you that if your side shows a positive response to this just demand of ours, we are ready to exchange the visiting groups of separated families and relatives and the taekwon-do exhibition teams at any time. We also consider that talks, agreed upon between the two sides, should be held," stressed Kim.

The message also demanded that Mount Kumgang in the DPRK be made the venue for tourism talks on October 25, ministerial talks on October 28 and economic meeting on November 5.






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