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16th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Close

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

    Pyongyang, September 16 (KCNA) -- The 16th north-south ministerial talks came to a close Friday. At the talks both sides had a sufficient exchange of opinions on the issues of taking practical measures for refraining from practices to save faces and terminating the hostile relations in the inter-Korean ties and removing the barriers in the field of economy and implementing the points agreed upon at the 15th north-south ministerial talks. They reached an agreement on a series of issues at the end of an exhaustive discussion.
    A joint press release of the 16th inter-Korean ministerial talks was made public. The press release says:
    The 16th inter-Korean ministerial talks were held here from Sept. 13 to 16. At the talks both sides hailed the successful holding of the June 15 Pyongyang Grand National Festival for Reunification and the August 15 Seoul Grand National Festival with the delegations of both sides' authorities attending. They discussed new practical proposals to develop the inter-Korean relations in the idea of "By our nation itself" on the basis of the above-mentioned success and agreed upon the following points: 1. The north and south agreed to take steps to institutionally promote national reconciliation and unity, away from all face-saving practices absolutizing their own ideology and system in the inter-Korean relations, in the idea of "By our nation itself." In this regard, both sides agreed to discuss and implement the practical measures to do away with the outdated conception and practices antagonizing fellow countrymen on the basis of recognizing and respecting each other's ideology and system and develop the inter-Korean relations on a new basis.
    2. The north and south agreed to make positive efforts to ensure lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and actively seek practical ways to stop hostile military actions posing threat to the other in conformity with the June 15 era. They shared the understanding that the talks between the military authorities should be opened and decided to recommend this to each other's military authorities. 3. They agreed to take measures for promoting the common interests and prosperity of the nation and the uniform and balanced development of the national economy and substantially pursue the bilateral economic cooperation.
    a. The north and south agreed to take positive measures to remove barriers standing in the way of investment and mutual accommodation between fellow countrymen. b. The north and south agreed to discuss and undertake cooperation projects required by them such as the second phase development of the Kaesong Industrial Zone, flood control in the River Rimjin, science and technology and health service at the 11th meeting of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation and through relevant working-level contacts.
    4. They shared the understanding of the importance of the joint compilation of the "Large Korean Dictionary" and decided to give positive backing to the work. @5. The north and south agreed to actively push forward the work to settle the issue of separated families and relatives and other humanitarian undertakings. a.The north and south agreed to arrange the 12th reunion of separated families and relatives early in November and the second video meetings within this year. b.They agreed to continue consultations about the issue of confirming the fate of those reported missing during the Korean war and settle it at the inter-Korean Red Cross talks.
    6. The north and south agreed to hold the 17th inter-Korean ministerial talks on Jeju Island from Dec. 13 to 16 this year.