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N. Korea proposes working-level talks before inter-Korean ministerial discussion
Next week we will see what could be the start of thawing relations between the two Koreas.
Seoul and Pyongyang will hold a working level meeting on Sunday ahead of ministerial talks
that may come next Wednesday. Our Unification Ministry correspondent Hwang
Sung-hee has the details on the quick turn of events on the peninsula. The two Koreas
have agreed to hold working-level talks on Sunday ahead of next week's inter-Korean ministerial
talks, but they have yet to decide on the meeting venue.
On Friday, the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said working-level
talks are necessary in advance of next week's talks, given the history of mistrust between
the two sides. The committee suggested holding the meeting
at the North's border town of Gaeseong. Seoul's Unification Ministry countered that
with a proposal to hold the talks at the truce village of Panmunjom at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
The ministry said it made its proposal at around 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, after Pyongyang
reopened the inter-Korean Red Cross channel at Panmumjom.
This comes after Pyongyang on Thursday proposed talks on industrial and humanitarian issues
at the government-level, and Seoul agreed.
"We propose holding ministerial-level, inter-Korean talks on June 12th in Seoul to resolve inter-Korean
issues such as the resumption of operations at Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tourism
at Mount Geumgang, and the reunions of separated families."
If Seoul and Pyongyang come to an agreement soon, operations at the Gaeseong complex could
resume after a suspension of more than 65 days,... while the Mount Geumgang tourism
site could be re-opened to South Korean tourists for the first time in nearly five years.
Pyongyang also hinted at a possible revival of reunions for Korean families separated
during the Korean War, giving hope to aging family members on both sides of the border..
that they will see each other one last time. Hwang Sung-hee, Arirang News.