Resumption of Inter-Korean Talks - 2002-08-28

A five-member delegation from North Korea has arrived in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, to resume discussions regarding economic cooperation between the two countries. The construction of a railway that crosses the border between the two countries and the establishment of an industrial complex in North Korea are at the forefront of the negotiations that begin today. This is the first such dialogue in two years. The agenda for these talks, which will last four days, was previously agreed upon during the recent meeting of the two countries' ministers in Seoul earlier this month. In the previous meeting, the stalled reconciliation process between the two countries was resumed. The latest news indicates that North Korea and South Korea have begun their first discussions on economic cooperation after two years. It is expected that the focus of the talks in Seoul will be on the reconnection of the railway between the two countries, plans for the construction of an industrial complex in North Korea, and joint efforts in flood prevention along the borders of the two countries. The discussions are set to continue until Friday and mark the first negotiations of their kind in the past two years. The agenda for these talks was previously agreed upon during the recent meeting of the two countries' ministers in Seoul earlier this month. In the previous meeting, the stalled reconciliation process between the two countries was resumed.