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Two Koreas hold military talks despite worsening ties

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-27 15:19

SEOUL -- North and South Korea held military talks Monday inside the Demilitarised Zone which divides the Korean peninsula. The meeting was aimed at improving military hotlines between the two nations, the South's defence ministry said.

South Korean soldiers stand guard as a North Korean soldier (background) looks on at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised zone dividing two Koreas in September. North and South Korea held military talks Monday. [Agencies]

"Talks ended before noon. We will disclose the outcome of the meeting later," a ministry spokesman said.

The two Koreas, which have remained technically at war since their 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice, have nine military hotlines, one of which is out of service due to technical problems.

North Korea has cut off almost all official contacts with the South since President Lee Myung-Bak took office in February and adopted a firmer stance in cross-border relations.

Military talks were held on October 2 but ended without agreement.