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Two Koreas begin military talks Two Koreas begin military talks
(about 3 hours later)
Senior generals from North and South Korea have begun three days of military talks aimed at easing border tensions on the divided peninsula. Senior generals from North and South Korea have held the first of three days of talks aimed at easing border tensions on the divided peninsula.
A disputed western sea border is likely to be high on the agenda at the meeting in the truce village of Panmunjom. North Korea renewed its demand for the long-running dispute over the western sea border to be addressed.
Negotiations have failed in the past because North Korea wants the sea border to be redrawn further south.Negotiations have failed in the past because North Korea wants the sea border to be redrawn further south.
The talks come amid signs of improving ties. Last week North Korea closed five sites at its Yongbyon nuclear complex. The talks come amid improving ties, with the North finally shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor last week.
The closures were part of an international disarmament deal under which North Korea receives energy aid and political incentives in return for ending its nuclear programme. The closure was part of an international disarmament deal under which North Korea receives energy aid and political incentives in return for ending its nuclear programme.
Sea clashesSea clashes
The talks between the generals are the highest-level military dialogue between the two Koreas, who have not signed a peace treaty since the Korean War and remain technically at war.The talks between the generals are the highest-level military dialogue between the two Koreas, who have not signed a peace treaty since the Korean War and remain technically at war.
The western sea border has been a long-running dispute between the two sides.The western sea border has been a long-running dispute between the two sides.
Pyongyang does not recognise the border line drawn up by the UN at the end of the 1950-53 war. Pyongyang does not recognise the border line - known as the Northern Limit Line - drawn up by the UN at the end of the 1950-53 war.
This has resulted in a number of naval clashes in the disputed rich fishing waters. Six South Koreans sailors were killed in one clash in June 2002. This has resulted in a number of naval clashes in the disputed rich fishing waters. Six South Korean sailors were killed in one clash in June 2002.
North Korea also accuses South Korean vessels of regularly violating its territorial waters - something Seoul denies.North Korea also accuses South Korean vessels of regularly violating its territorial waters - something Seoul denies.
The two sides are seeking to agree on establishing a joint fishing zone - but while South Korea wants this to be along the border, North Korea wants it to be below the border. Following Tuesday's opening meeting, Col Moon Seong-mook of the South Korean military said: "Of course there was a mention of the Northern Limit Line.
Military talks in May on the issue ended with no agreement, as North Korea reiterated its demands for the border to be redrawn. "The North said the issue needs to be discussed. We stressed again that our position... is firm."
The talks will also focus on security arrangements for joint economic projects near the land border. He said the atmosphere of the first day of talks was "not bad", even though they concluded earlier than planned.
As well as looking at the sea border, the talks are also due to focus on security arrangements for joint economic projects.