North and South Korea seek to end animosity with second day of talks

North and South Korea have held a second day of high-level talks aimed at easing cross-border tensions just months after a flare-up pushed them to the brink of an armed conflict. The two sides met for 40 minutes on Saturday morning, before adjourning to consult with their respective capitals. The discussions between South Korea’s chief delegate Hwang Boo-Gi and his North Korean counterpart Jon Jong-Su had begun the day before, running over three sessions and late into the night.

The two sides had a broad discussion of pending issues and exchanged views in a sincere manner

South Korea’s Unification Ministry

The vice-minister-level talks, with a mandate to address a broad but unspecified range of issues, are the first of their type for nearly two years. Held on the North Korean side of the border in the jointly run Kaesong industrial zone, they were a key element of an accord reached in August to end a dangerous military stand-off. While no substantial breakthrough is expected, both sides want to resume stalled joint projects that have significant symbolic and financial value.

I think it will take some time. Anyway, (we) will do our best, one step at a time.

South Korean chief delegate Hwang Boo-Gi