South, North start working-level economic talks

South and North Korea started working-level economic talks in Pyongyang Wednesday, discussing issues such as the provision of an institutional framework for inter-Korean economic cooperation and ensuring the transparency of the distribution of South Korean food aid to the North.

During the talks, which will last until Nov. 11, the two sides will focus on the question of initialing four pacts concerning investment guarantees, the avoidance of double taxation, dispute arbitration between firms and accounting settlements.

Related government officials disclosed that Seoul would devote the first-day session to exploring the two sides¡¯ respective positions on the issues and would then proceed to full-fledged discussions Nov. 9-10.