S. Korean delegation heads for Pyongyang talks
( 2003-04-27 11:01 ) (8 )

A South Korean delegation led by Unification Minister Jeong Se-Hyun left here Sunday morning by special plane for Pyongyang to attend the 10th round of inter- Korean ministerial talks.

The talks, which are scheduled to start on Sunday afternoon at Pyongyang's Koryo Hotel and conclude on Tuesday, are the first high-level contacts between South Korea and the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) since South Korean President Roh Moo- Hyun took office on Feb. 25, and will discuss the nuclear issue, economic cooperation and the inter-korean reconciliation process among other issues.

Before his departure, Jeong told the press that during the meeting, South Korea will reiterate its stance that the DPRK scrap its nuclear weapons program.

He said that the DPRK's nuclear issue has become more complicated following the talks in Beijing between China, the DPRK and the United States.

"If it is true the North (DPRK) has nuclear weapons, it constitutes a serious violation of the joint South-North declaration on denuclearization," said Jeong.

On economic cooperation, the two sides are expected to discuss inter-Korean projects such as the reconnection of cross-border railways and roads, the establishment of an industrial complex in the DPRK city of Kaesong, and an overland tour route to Mount Geumgang.