Series of military talks seen

Military authorities from the two Koreas are expected to hold negotiations at least four times before Sept. 18, Seoul's Ministry of National Defense reported Monday.

"Based on the February 2001 agreement on work inside the Demilitarized Zone to build the Gyeongui railroad, it is necessary to exchange a signed military accord assuring the safety of the workers one week before construction begins," said Hwang Eui-don, the ministry's spokesman. The exchange will most likely take place before Sept. 11, since the two Koreas agreed at recent economic talks to begin work to relink cross-border railroads and highways Sept. 18.

"After we deliver our versions of the accords -- one each for the Gyeongui Line and the East Coast Line -- to the North, the North will have to review them and then we will meet again to reach a final pact," Mr. Hwang said. "Then, two more meetings will be necessary to exchange the accords signed by each defense minister."

Mr. Hwang added that the United Nations Command and North Korean military officials would likely meet at the truce village of Panmunjeom this week to discuss construction inside the DMZ. "The Ministry of National Defense met with the United Nations Command last week and asked them to propose the talks to the North," he said.

by Lee Chul-hee