N.K. offers military talks on Nov. 28 at Panmunjom

North Korea Tuesday proposed that the first inter-Korean working-level military talks be held at the truce village of Panmunjom on Nov. 28 to discuss military issues surrounding the restoration work on the Kyongui Railroad Line and road links.

The North suggested that the talks be held at Tongilgak Pavilion in the northern region of Panmunjom.

The North made the proposal in a telephone message from Col. Yu Yong-Chol, chief representative of its Panmunjom liaison office, to Brig. Gen. Kim Kyong-Dok, chief South Korean delegate to the working-level military talks.

In the message, Col. Yu also suggested that liaison officers of the two sides hold a preliminary meeting at the Peace House in the southern region of the truce village at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Earlier, South Korea proposed holding the working-level military talks at Tongilgak Pavilion on Nov. 23.

An official at the Ministry of National Defense said that the North had proposed Nov. 21 as the date for the meeting, but apparently postponed it, taking into consideration its Cabinet's discussion of the talks.

Hwang Yoo-Seong yshwang@donga.com