South-North Korean Military Talks Set

A fourth round of general level inter-Korean military talks will be held on the South Korean side of the Truce Village of Panmunjeom for three days starting May 16.

The talks are expected to focus on issues including installing a hotline between the two military authorities and reaching a military pact for the passing of traffic on re-linked cross-border railways and roads.

Col. Moon Sung-mook of the Defense Ministry said yesterday that the North agreed with South Korea’s suggestion to hold talks earlier this month.

On the talks’ main agenda are specific plans to prevent accidental skirmishes in the Yellow Sea, define joint fishing grounds in the Yellow Sea, a safety agreement for the Gyeongui and Donghae railroads, and road passing.

If an agreement is reached in this round of military talks, former president Kim Dae-jung will be able to visit North Korea by train as planned this June