Gov`t proposes inter-Korean military talks on Feb. 11

The South Korean Defense Ministry proposed Wednesday working-level military talks with North Korea on Feb. 11 on the agenda and venue for a senior-level military dialogue.

The ministry sent the notice to the North under the name of Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin through a military communication line at 10 a.m. Seoul defined the proposed talks as those “for preparing for South-North high-level military talks on (the North’s) responsible measures to account for the attacks on the Cheonan warship and Yeonpyeong Island, and a pledge of no further provocations.”

Col. Moon Sang-gyun will likely head the South Korean delegation, while the North will likely be led by Col. Ri Son Kwon of the National Defense Commission. General-level officers could lead the delegations, however, because the working-level contact is on possibly holding talks between defense ministers of the two Koreas.

The Defense Ministry in Seoul also issued a spokesman’s commentary reiterating the call on the North to hold separate inter-Korean talks to verify Pyongyang’s sincerity about denuclearization. The commentary said, "The North’s will to give up its nuclear program should be confirmed to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and true progress in the inter-Korean relations. Therefore, Seoul is urging Pyongyang to accept the proposal for talks in which the North can express its position on its nuclear program."

mhpark@donga.com