Koreas move to open military dialogue channels

The two Koreas Friday took their first step toward opening military dialogue channels, including the setup of a hot line, by agreeing on continuous negotiations for the reduction of tensions and buildup of mutual confidence in military matters. Wrapping up a cabinet-level meeting in Pyongyang, South Korea`s Minister of Unification Park Jae-Kyu and the North`s chief delegate, Jon Kum-Jin, made a 7-point statement to this effect at Koryo Hotel, where the visiting delegation from Seoul had been staying.

Conference sources said that even though the two sides failed to reach an accord on the vital issues of opening a military hot line and holding a meeting of military officials, the language of the statement in favor of continued consultations aimed at reducing tension and mutual military confidence-building bodes well for dialogue between their military officials in the near future.

The two delegations also agreed to hold a meeting of working-level officials in September that will focus on creating institutional arrangements for economic cooperation such as an investment guarantee, and planning the restoration of the cross-border Seoul-Sinuiju rail line and the construction of a highway linking Munsan with Gaeseong in the North. The representatives from Seoul and Pyongyang also agreed on exchange visits of separated families on two occasions in the latter part of this year. In the middle of September a group of 100 South Koreans is slated to visit Mt. Bakdu in the North, and a similar group of 100 North Koreans will climb Mt. Halla in the South. The accord also calls for a third inter-Korean ministerial meeting toward the end of the month.

According to sources, Minister Park earlier Friday morning paid a courtesy call to National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il, who was staying in North Hamgyeong Province on the east coast. The two reportedly pledged to implement the June 15 inter-Korean summit agreement, and both positively appraised the progress in inter-Korean relations since June. Park conveyed greetings from President Kim Dae-Jung to the Northern strongman, who reciprocated by sending his best regards to the President.