By Kim Se-jeong
The government Thursday accepted a North Korean proposal to hold high-level military talks on pending issues.
The North made the proposal, saying the agenda will be “to exchange views on the Cheonan sinking and the artillery attacks on Yeonpyeong, and to alleviate military tension on the peninsula.”
In response, the Ministry of Unification said Seoul will take part in the inter-Korean talks since they touch upon the issue of responsibility for the incidents.
The proposal came after U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao -- after a summit in Washington -- urged the two Koreas to resume dialogue to stop the North's provocations and nuclear weapons programs.
In a joint statement, the two leaders professed their support and determination to oversee denuclearization of the peninsula, and urged “constructive” dialogue between South and North Korea.
The ministry also proposed separate high-level dialogue to ensure denuclearization of the peninsula. North Korea has not yet shown any intention to discuss nuclear issues bilaterally with South Korea.
An international probe concluded that the Cheonan was torpedoed by a North Korean submarine in March last year. Forty-six sailors were killed. In November, North Korea unleashed an artillery barrage at Yeonpyeong Island, killing four people two of whom were civilians.
The North’s telegram was signed by Kim Young-chun, minister of the People’s Armed Forces, and addressed to South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin, officials said.
Minister-level talks between the two Koreas have happened only twice in the past.
The first occurred on Jeju Island in September 2000, and the second in Pyongyang in November 2007. This time, the North said the South can select the venue and an appropriate date for the meeting.
As of Thursday, no information was available on when and where this will take place.
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