Opening of Inter-Korean Talks Today

South and North Korea will have the 7th inter-Korean Economic Cooperation and Promotion Committee starting November 5 in Pyongyang.

The two sides will discuss the three Economic Cooperation Projects such as the reconnection of roads and railways of Gyeong-ui Line and Dong-hae Line across the border, the development of the Gaeseong industrial complex, and the Mt. Geumgang tourism projects.

They will also discuss opening a direct trade channel between the two sides and mutual economic working-level inspection groups that were formerly agreed at the 6th talks in August in Seoul.

Vice Minister of Finance and Economy Kim Kwang-lim and the South Korean delegation will visit Pyongyang through China on November 5. The delegation includes the Vice Minister Kim, Head of Exchange and Cooperation Coordination Division at the Ministry of Unification Cho Myoeon-gyun, Head of National Land Policy Division at the Ministry of Construction and Transportation Kwon Do-yop, Head of Water Resource Division Choi Young-chul, Secretary at Office of the Prime Minster Kim Ho-hong, and other figures. The delegation will also visit a food distribution center near Pyongyang during the talks to monitor whether the food aid provided by the South has reached the intended beneficiaries.

Also on November 4 at Mt. Geumgang, the three-day 5th Inter-Korea Red Cross Talks started. The delegation lead by Lee Byung-woong, special assistant to the president of the Korean Red Cross Society, will discuss the construction of a family reunion center in the Mt. Geumgang area once the main talks commence on November 5.

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com