Two Koreas holding high-level talks to implement September's summit agreement
Arirang News
2018-10-15
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The two Koreas are holding their fifth round of high-level talks of the year at the truce village of Panmunjeom today.
The talks are to check on how well South and North Korea are implementing their September summit agreement, dubbed the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration... and to rubberstamp schedules for follow-up talks in various fields.
For more, let's connect live to our unification ministry correspondent Oh Jung-hee, who's standing by at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue.
Jung-hee, fill us in.
Ji-yoon.
The talks began two hours ago at the Peace House on the South Korean side of the border village of Panmunjeom.
As you mentioned, this is the fifth round of high-level talks between the two Koreas this year alone,... and comes just a month after the current leaders of South and North Korea had their third summit of 2018 in the North Korean capital.
Take a listen to what the leading delegates had to say:
"We've met quite often, and now it feels quite normal to meet you. It's very fortunate that inter-Korean relations are improving. I'm sure people in the South and the North are feeling delighted to see this happen."
"We've had frequent talks and contacts, but it shouldn't simply be about having more meetings. They should be useful meetings with practical results. I hope today's talks set specific schedules and work items... and deliver good news to the Korean people and citizens around the world."
Jung-hee, the two sides have a lot to talk about... and we know this because of all the action plans stipulated in the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration.
Just walk us through what's on the agenda today...
Well, Ji-yoon, it seems the two sides will focus much of their attention on their railway and road connection plans.
Vice ministers in charge of transport and railroad are attending from both sides of the border... and as he left, Seoul's Unification Minister also confirmed to reporters that the matter will be discussed for sure.
Seoul and Pyeongyang stipulated in September's summit agreement... that they hold a groundbreaking ceremony within this year to kick-start construction for connecting railways and roads.
But there are concerns on whether they can really begin this year... as the U.S. is firm on keeping sanctions in place.
Well, to that, Seoul's Unification Minister says South Korea's been closely coordinating with relevant organizations and countries, which refers to the UN Command and the United States.
To remind our viewers, South Korea initially planned to send a research team to the North in late August for inspections,... but that failed because the UN Command disapproved of it.
Other than transport links, the two Koreas could try and set the schedule for the Red Cross Talks to deal with war-torn families issue.
In September, President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to open a permanent facility for war-torn families to meet... as well as enable video meetings and video messages.
With th
The talks are to check on how well South and North Korea are implementing their September summit agreement, dubbed the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration... and to rubberstamp schedules for follow-up talks in various fields.
For more, let's connect live to our unification ministry correspondent Oh Jung-hee, who's standing by at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue.
Jung-hee, fill us in.
Ji-yoon.
The talks began two hours ago at the Peace House on the South Korean side of the border village of Panmunjeom.
As you mentioned, this is the fifth round of high-level talks between the two Koreas this year alone,... and comes just a month after the current leaders of South and North Korea had their third summit of 2018 in the North Korean capital.
Take a listen to what the leading delegates had to say:
"We've met quite often, and now it feels quite normal to meet you. It's very fortunate that inter-Korean relations are improving. I'm sure people in the South and the North are feeling delighted to see this happen."
"We've had frequent talks and contacts, but it shouldn't simply be about having more meetings. They should be useful meetings with practical results. I hope today's talks set specific schedules and work items... and deliver good news to the Korean people and citizens around the world."
Jung-hee, the two sides have a lot to talk about... and we know this because of all the action plans stipulated in the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration.
Just walk us through what's on the agenda today...
Well, Ji-yoon, it seems the two sides will focus much of their attention on their railway and road connection plans.
Vice ministers in charge of transport and railroad are attending from both sides of the border... and as he left, Seoul's Unification Minister also confirmed to reporters that the matter will be discussed for sure.
Seoul and Pyeongyang stipulated in September's summit agreement... that they hold a groundbreaking ceremony within this year to kick-start construction for connecting railways and roads.
But there are concerns on whether they can really begin this year... as the U.S. is firm on keeping sanctions in place.
Well, to that, Seoul's Unification Minister says South Korea's been closely coordinating with relevant organizations and countries, which refers to the UN Command and the United States.
To remind our viewers, South Korea initially planned to send a research team to the North in late August for inspections,... but that failed because the UN Command disapproved of it.
Other than transport links, the two Koreas could try and set the schedule for the Red Cross Talks to deal with war-torn families issue.
In September, President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to open a permanent facility for war-torn families to meet... as well as enable video meetings and video messages.
With th
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