N. Korea Wishes for Continued Aid From South
2003-02-12
A North Korean delegation tried to draw a line between the recent nuclear crisis and inter-Korean economic cooperation after their arrival in Seoul Tuesday for a four-day economic talks with their southern counterparts.
"Regardless of external circumstances (recent standoff between North Korea and the U.S.), two Koreas should step up economic cooperation for their co-prosperity in line with the historic summit in June 2000," vice-chairman of the North's state planning committee Park Chang-ryun said.
"The two sides must show their resolution to carry on the series of ongoing joint projects," he added.
South Korean officials are also pinning their hopes on the gathering, the fourth event of the kind, which will be the last inter-Korean talks under the Kim Dae-jung administration.
"The meeting is expected to provide opportunities for reaffirming the already-agreed deals between the two countries, while laying a groundwork for further cooperation under the next government," said Vice Finance-Economy Minister Yoo Jin-shik, head of the South Korean delegation.
He also expressed hopes that the Seoul meeting will provide a momentum for inter-Korean exchanges, which have been interrupted by to the North's nuclear program.
The two sides are scheduled to hold two or three rounds of talks, starting today (Feb.11), on several important projects, which include cross-border railway and road reconnections, the envisioned Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the construction of the Imjin River dam.
It remains to be seen whether the nuclear issue will be included among the agendas, as North Korea has traditionally insisted on direct negotiation with the U.S. on the matter.
Source : www.korea.net
