ROK, DPRK conclude morning working contact

ROK Unification Ministry held a press briefing shortly after the morning talks concluded. The spokesman of the ministry said that the talks continued about one hour and concluded at around 11 am local time. During the talks, representatives discussed details about the upcoming ministerial meeting to be held in Seoul on Wednesday.

Head of ROK delegation for an inter-Korean working-level talks, Chun Hae-sung (R) shakes hands with his DPRK counterpart Kim Song-hye before their talks in Panmunjom, June 9, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The exact schedule about the afternoon talks hasn't been set yet, according to the spokesman.

Chun Hae-sung, who is leading the three-person ROK delegation, told reporters before leaving for the talks that every effort will be made to build trust that can lay the foundation for improving South-North relations.  

Seoul has suggested the ministerial meeting after Pyongyang proposed holding inter-governmental talks on issues including the normalization of the operation in the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ) and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration.  

The Panmunjom talks is aimed at preparing for the ministerial meeting.