TMCnet News
S.Korea to delay military talks with DPRKSEOUL, Jan 24, 2010 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- South Korea on Monday notified the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its decision to delay working-level military talks on easing border restrictions initially proposed by Pyongyang to be held on Jan. 26. The decision was in response to the DPRK proposal last Friday to discuss transportation, communication and customs system at the industrial park jointly run by the two Koreas, shortly after the two sides wrapped up the first bilateral talks of the year on improving operations at the industrial park in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong, with another round of such talks slated to be held on Feb. 1. "It will be more effective to hold a meeting after we see the outcome of the second round of talks at the Kaesong complex," Seoul's Ministry of Defense said, adding that it would propose a later date "at an appropriate time." South Korea has called on the DPRK to ease restrictions on customs clearance, border-crossing and communications system at the industrial complex, a long-standing symbol of inter-Korean economic cooperation whose operation has occasionally been threatened by tensions between the two Koreas. The move coincides with Seoul's decision to postpone working- level talks on resuming tour to a mountain resort and a border town in the DPRK to Feb. 8 from the previously suggested date of Jan. 26. |