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Korean PMs begin historic talks | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Prime ministers from North and South Korea have met for the first time in 15 years, in talks aimed at improving ties on the divided peninsula. | |
North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il will spend three days in the South Korean capital, Seoul, in discussions with counterpart Han Duck-soo. | |
Talks are expected to focus on joint economic projects and a sea border row. | |
The meeting follows October's historic summit in Pyongyang between the two countries' presidents. | |
The summit, between the North's Kim Jong-il and the South's Roh Moo-hyun, was only the second such meeting since the Korean peninsula was partitioned over half a century ago. | |
The two presidents signed an accord calling for greater peace and economic partnership, despite the two countries remaining technically at war with each other. | |
Warming relations | Warming relations |
The prime ministers will now use their meeting to discuss more specific proposals. | The prime ministers will now use their meeting to discuss more specific proposals. |
THE TWO KOREAS 1910: Korean Peninsula colonised by Japan1945: Divided into US-backed South and Soviet-backed North1950-1953: Korean War, no peace deal signed1987: North Korea bombs a South airliner, killing 1151990s: South Korea introduces conciliatory Sunshine Policy2000: Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung hold first leaders' summit2007: Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun hold second leaders' summit History of the Korean War | |
One key issue is the establishment of a joint fishing area around the disputed western sea border - the scene of naval clashes in the past - and a new economic zone around the North Korean port of Haeju. | One key issue is the establishment of a joint fishing area around the disputed western sea border - the scene of naval clashes in the past - and a new economic zone around the North Korean port of Haeju. |
Other matters include management of a joint industrial zone in the border city of Kaesong, and increasing the number of reunion meetings for families separated when the peninsula was split. | |
Mr Kim, speaking at the start of the talks, described the meeting as historic and said he thought the talks would "go very well". | |
Prime ministerial meetings between the two Koreas were suspended in 1992 amid growing concern over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. | Prime ministerial meetings between the two Koreas were suspended in 1992 amid growing concern over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. |
But in February, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for aid. It is currently in the process of disabling its main reactor at Yongbyon. | But in February, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for aid. It is currently in the process of disabling its main reactor at Yongbyon. |
The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Seoul says the meeting between the prime ministers is another sign of warming relations between North and South Korea. | The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Seoul says the meeting between the prime ministers is another sign of warming relations between North and South Korea. |
But he says the mood could change in December if the South Korean presidential election is won by conservative Lee Myung-Bak, who has pledged to take a tougher line against North Korea. | But he says the mood could change in December if the South Korean presidential election is won by conservative Lee Myung-Bak, who has pledged to take a tougher line against North Korea. |