Inter-Korean foreign ministers

Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Lee Joung-Binn and North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-Sun held their first-ever talks July 26 in Bangkok.

The two officials discussed a wide range of issues of mutual concern and agreed to promote various types of inter-Korean cooperation. The meeting was held in the conference room of the Sheraton Hotel from 5:15 p.m. in the evening.

The two ministers, who came to Bangkok to attend the ASEAN-Regional Forum (ARF), exchanged views on bilateral and international relations to follow up on the mid-June inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. They also touched on measures to promote mutual cooperation in the international arena.

The ministers agreed that the two Koreas should formulate measures to accelerate cooperation in non-political sectors such as economic, social and cultural affairs in the international community. At the end of their talks, the two ministers are scheduled to issue a joint press statement, it was learned.

At the meeting, Lee proposed to his North Korean counterpart that they discuss establishing permanent dialogue channels between their overseas diplomatic missions, holding inter-Korean foreign ministers` talks on a regular basis and Pyongyang`s participation in such international organizations as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The North Korean minister was reported to have responded favorably to Lee`s overtures.