SEOUL (AFP): South Korea has accepted North Korea's offer of high-level military talks after months of tensions, the unification ministry said.
Seoul was responding to a message earlier Thursday from the North's defence minister Kim Yong-Chun to his counterpart in the South, Kim Kwan-Jin.
The ministry, which handles cross-border affairs, said it also accepted the North's suggestion of lower-level preparatory talks.
Seoul also proposed separate discussions between high-ranking government officials to discuss the issue of denuclearisation.
In a statement, the ministry restated Seoul's terms for dialogue – that the North accept responsibility for two attacks over the past 10 months and show sincerity about nuclear disarmament.
The ministry said it would come to the talks "on condition North Korea takes responsible measures concerning the sinking of the Cheonan and the attack on Yeonpyeong island and promise(s) to prevent any recurrence".
"Separate high-level talks are absolutely necessary to discuss denuclearisation," it added.
Cross-border relations worsened sharply when South Korea last May accused the North of torpedoing the Cheonan, one of its warships, with the loss of 46 lives, a charge Pyongyang denies.
Tensions rose even higher after the North bombarded a South Korean border island in November, killing four people including civilians and briefly sparking fears of all-out war.
S Korea accepts N Korea's offer of military talks
Article Posted on : - Jan 21, 2011
Other Related News
India, China defence ministers hold 'productive' talks in Laos; agree to work towards rebuilding mutual trust
India and China on Wednesday agreed to work towards a "roadmap" for rebuilding mutual trust with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for drawing lessons from the "unfortunate border clashes" of 2020 during talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article