North, South Korea Schedule First High Level Talks Since 2007
by Mary-Louise Hoffman
North and South Korea have agreed to hold a two-day meeting this week aimed at rebuilding ties after months of tension caused by the North's threats of nuclear war, GMA News reported Monday.
According to the article, officials from the two nations held preparatory talks on Sunday in the border truce village of Panmunjom, their first ministerial talks since 2007 and the first talks of any kind in two years.
"Both sides issued separate statements on the outcome of discussions after failing to narrow differences over the level of chief delegate and agenda," the South's Unification Ministry said in a statement
Korean ministers are set to meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Seoul to discuss a planned Kaesong industrial complex and other joint projects that have stalled as conflict between the two countries grew.
"Inter-Korean talks have always been like this — pretty opaque with lots of ups and downs, and ins and outs," said Yang Moo-Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
"The Seoul meeting will probably go ahead, but in the past North Korea has often delayed or cancelled talks at the last minute over some procedural matter," Yang said.
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