South-Korea Inter-Ministers Meeting to Be Held Soon

In response to the North Korea`s offer to resume the dialogue, the government will suggest to the North Korean authority as early as September 7 to reopen the inter-ministers meeting, says a report.

A governmental official said that ``after discussing the measures through the consultation of the related ministries, the government plans to deliver the telegraphed letter containing our position regarding the formation and time of the meeting within this week.``

``In case the NK government accepts our suggestion, the fifth inter-ministers meeting is likely to be held as early as next week or last week of this month.`` said Seoul officials.

The inter-ministers talks were set up to discuss the program to carry out the 6.15 Joint Declaration, but has been suspended due to the absence of the North Korean side.

The government will intensely discuss the plan to hold the working-level negotiations on a number of joint projects in the inter-ministers talks such as ▲reconnection of the cross-border rail link, ▲issue of the separated family members, ▲Gaesung Industrial Complex, ▲Opening an overland route for Mt. Kumkang tour, ▲Four Agreement for Economic Cooperation.

For this, the government plans to open the National Security Council around 6th.

Meanwhile, North Korea sent the telegraphed message containing the same proposal for the inter-Koreas dialogue as the announcement of the Pyongyang Broadcasting Co. through a direct telephone for liaison officers in Panmunjom.

Kim Young-Sik spear@donga.com