IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Korean Peninsula

Talks underway on liaison office

The Republic of Korea's Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs said on Monday that Seoul was in talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the opening date of the joint liaison office to increase communications between the two neighbors. Ministry Spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said it was anticipated for special envoys to set the opening date of the liaison office when they visit the DPRK on Wednesday. The liaison office was widely forecast to be opened last month, but it was delayed after a standoff between Pyongyang and Washington over the denuclearization process.