장성급 군사회담, 공동보도문 조율 및 종료 기다리는 중
Inter-Korean high-level military talks are held for the first time in over a decade.
Generals from the two sides are at the border village of Panmunjom... discussing ways to ease cross-border tensions as a follow-up to the Panmunjom Declaration.
Also in the background is this week's freeze-for-freeze deal between Pyongyang and Washington... in which the North promised to halt its nuclear program and the U.S. said it would be suspending its war games in the region.
Our Park Ji-won has been keeping an eye on these talks in Panmunjom.
We'll go live to her now at Seoul's Office for Inter-Korean Dialogue.
Jiwon?
Daniel.
Today's talks are nearing their end at Tongilgak, on the North Korean side of Panmunjom,... some 50 kilometers north of Seoul.
According to South Korea's defense ministry joint press corps,... the two sides are currently working on a joint agreement,... but no details announced as of now.
The talks started at 10 a.m. on Thursday... with five delegates on each side,... and they've been immersed in talks for hours now, even forgoing a lunch break.
Although details of the talks are yet to be unveiled, the chief negotiators, Major General Kim Do-gyun from the South Korean delegation and Lieutenant General Ahn Ik-san from the North Korean delegation, made their opening remarks to the media earlier in the day.
A lieutenant general in North Korea is equivalent to a major general in South Korea.
Let's hear what the two chief negotiators spoke before the talks began.
"As the two leaders have already presented a clear map regarding military affairs, I think both South and North Korea can achieve the expected results in these highly anticipated talks,... if we discuss the issues in the firm spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration."
"At this historic moment, when the whole Korean nation is attempting to promote peace and prosperity,... I am deeply moved to see North and South Korea's military authorities sitting down here, face to face,... to discuss military issues in order to implement the Panmunjom Declaration."
The talks are set for one day only,... but more of these inter-Korean military talks on a variety of issues are expected to be scheduled soon.
I will bring you updates in the next newscast.
Back to you, Daniel.
