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ROK mulls talks with DPRK over denuclearization

2011-01-24 16:18

SEOUL - Republic of Korea (ROK) is considering proposing a preparatory meeting with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for talks over ending its nuclear program, the unification ministry said Monday.

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ROK has accepted the DPRK's proposal last week to hold high-ranking inter-Korean military talks to discuss pending military issues, including its alleged torpedo attack and shelling of a ROK border island, and is mulling separate talks between high-ranking government officials from the two sides to discuss denuclearization.

The defense ministry also said it plans to propose a date for a working-level meeting this week to prepare for the high-ranking military talks Pyongyang proposed.

"Ministries concerned are currently discussing details of the proposals," ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-ju told reporters in a press briefing, without further divulging.

The talks, if held, will mark the first major contact between the two estranged neighbors after they suspended nearly all exchanges following a series of military provocations by Pyongyang.

They would also follow the recent summit between the Chinese and US leaders, who called for improved inter-Korean ties and Pyongyang's commitment to its pledges of denuclearization.

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