The delegations of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)and South Korea spent more time than scheduled on coordinating their stands on various pending issues, especially on the issue ofinter-Korean military talks, and eventually released the joint press statement after about eight hours of delay.

South Korea, DPRK Agree on Military Talks: Yonhap Report

Negotiators from South and DPRK agreed to hold military talks between the two countries in the near future and take steps to reconnect a cross-border railway and road during the final plenary session of three-day Cabinet-level talks here Wednesday afternoon.

They also agreed to hold a second round of economic talks in Seoul Aug. 26-29 to discuss the construction of an industrial base in the city of Kaesong of DPRK, anti-flood measures along the Imjin River and other economic issues.

The two sides also agreed to hold working-level contact at the North's Mount Geumgang in mid-September to discuss a joint inspection of the reportedly-damaged Geumgangsan Dam, the statement said.

A fifth round of reunions of separated family members will be held at Mount Geumgang Sept. 21, the statement added.

The two sides also agreed to give full support for the staging of an inter-Korean friendly soccer match sometime between Sept. 6-8 in Seoul.

In another sports exchange accord, a South Korean taekwondo emonstration team will visit Pyongyang in mid-September and a DPRK taekwondo team will pay a return visit to Seoul the following month, according to the press statement.

( August 14, 2002)