S-N ministerial meeting to focus on peace

The government will put emphasis on the provision of concrete measures involving the reduction of tension and the buildup of mutual confidence to establish peace on the Korean peninsula at the second round of inter-Korean ministerial talks slated for August 29-31 in Pyeongyang, it was learned on Monday. At the same time, efforts will be made for the establishment of subcommittees to promote various sectional exchanges and cooperation between the South and the North. Unification Ministry officials stressed that inter-Korean relations are making rapid progress that cannot possibly be reversed.

Meanwhile, Unification Minister Park Jae-Kyu said Monday that Seoul will raise such issues as South Korean prisoners of war and those kidnapped by the North in conjunction with the separated families reunion program. Asked if he would bring with him a message from President Kim Dae-Jung to North Korean Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il, Park did not dismiss this possibility, saying that the matter would be touched on after the conclusion of the talks, The Seoul delegation headed by Unification Minister Park will travel to the North Korean capital by air and is expected to pay a visit to North Korean leader Kim at the end of the Pyongyang talks.

The Pyeongyang meeting will be attended by South Korea`s Minister Park, Vice Finance and Economy Minister Lee Jong-Jae and Vice Culture andTourism Minister Kim Soon-Kyu, as well as the North`s chief delegate, Kim Kum-Jin, and Choe Song-Ik.