South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) wrapped up their general-level military talks Friday with a joint statement promising security guarantees for railway tests across their border and taking tension-easing measures.

 

In the statement, the two sides promised to provide military security guarantee for the test runs of two cross-border railways on May 17, which will be the first time for the two sides to be linked by railway transports since 1951.

 

The two parties also agreed to hold further discussion on measures guarantee for the operation of cross-border railways and roads, the statement said.

 

"The two sides have shared the view that preventing military conflict and creating a joint fishing zone in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) is an issue to be urgently resolved in the course of easing military tension and establishing peace," said the statement.

 

The two sides agreed to discuss the establishment of a joint fishing zone in the area rich in crabs, said the statement..

 

South Korea unilaterally set the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War as a maritime border, but DPRK does not recognize it. In 1999 and 2002, naval clashes between the two sides occurred near the disputed maritime territory in the Yellow Sea and caused massive casualties of both sides.

 

The two sides will seek measures to build up mutual military trust through future talks, such as allowing DPRK civilian ships pass through the NLL to sail directly to DPRK's Haeju port, where DPRK ships now have to use a long route to avoid the borderline, the statement said.

 

The two sides also agreed to carry out the second defense minister meeting as soon as possible and hold the next round of general-grade military talks in July, the statement said.

 

South Korea and DPRK launched their 5th general-level military talks on Tuesday at the truce village of Panmunjom. The meeting was scheduled until Thursday but was extended to Friday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2007)