Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting Held in Seoul

The 15th round of inter-Korean ministerial meetings was held in the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel located in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on June 21, and are scheduled to last for three days. This meeting took place 13 months after the 14th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks was held in May 2004.

Delegations from the two Koreas will discuss follow-up measures regarding the agreements drawn up between Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang on June 17 through official and unofficial talks, including a general conference to be held at the Mugunghwa Hall at 10:00 a.m. on June 22.

During the meeting between Unification Minister Chung and Chairman Kim in Pyongyang, they reached agreements such as the resumption of inter-Korean ministerial meetings, opening of an inter-Korean marine affairs meeting, resumption of the 11th round of reunions of separated families, and construction a permanent meeting place on Mt. Geumgang.

In this inter-Korean ministerial meeting, the two Koreas plan to hold intensive discussions on key issues, including a measure to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff peacefully and the issue of the North’s return to the six-party talks.

taewon_ha@donga.com