Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Releases Joint Statement

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, July 12, 2003

Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Releases Joint Statement

Seoul and Pyongyang agreed in a high-level meeting that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue should be solved through "proper means."

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Seoul and Pyongyang agreed in a high-level meeting that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue should be "peacefully solved through appropriate dialogue."

This is a part of six-point joint statement released at the end of the 11th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting held in Seoul from Thursday to Saturday.

The two delegations were originally scheduled to announce the joint statement Friday afternoon. Since they had differences over the content of the statement, the working-level officials of the two sides had to eradicate the difference over night.

South Korean delegation urged its counterpart in the talks to accept "multilateral dialogue" to resolve the DPRK nuclear standoff, while the DPRK side insisted the nuclear issue is a matter only between Washington and Pyongyang.

After long time negotiation, the two sides agreed to "try to address the nuclear dispute peacefully through appropriate dialogue."

Although the two teams expressed worries over the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, they shared the view that the peace and stability over the peninsula should be maintained.

According to the statement, the eighth round of inter-Korean separated family reunions will be held in DPRK's Mount Geumgang around September 11, an important traditional holiday named Chusok Holiday which the two sides on the Korean Peninsula both celebrate.

Seoul and Pyongyang also agreed to establish a sub-committee attached to the ministerial talks to promote culture and social exchanges.

The Sixth Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Meeting is slated to be held on Aug. 26-29 in Seoul and the 12th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting is to be held in Pyongyang on Oct. 14-17.

As soon as the two sides released the joint statement, the DPRK delegation, led by a DPRK Cabinet Councilor Kim Ryong Song, left the meeting venue heading to Incheon International Airport. They will return to Pyongyang later in the day via Beijing.

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