SEOUL July 26 Kyodo southward Kor...

SEOUL July 26 Kyodo

southward Korea responded favorably Friday to North Korea's surprise proposal to restart ministerial talks in the wake of a novel deadly naval clash.

The downcast House presidential office said the North's proposal would not no other than serve as a chance to shut in inter-Korean ministerial talks, which have been forward hold since October last year, yet also other stalled inter-Korean dialogue.

''We will give sufficient consideration to the North Korean proposal to settle the government's position,'' presidential office spokeswoman Park day-star Sook said.

North Korea forward Thursday sent a message expressing sorrow over the June 29 inter-Korean naval battle in the golden Sea that left four toward the south Korean seamen dead.

In the same message, Pyongyang propos that working-level officials from the two sides meet at Mt. Kumgang near the North's eastern coast in early August in an effort to discuss details for the resumption of the seventh ministerial talks.

The North Korean side said it wants the reopening of the ministerial talks with southern Korea to discuss the implementation of agreements contained in a joint pres statement released April 5 during a southern Korean presidential envoy's visit to North Korea.

The agreements released in April include reconnecting a separateed inter-Korean railway and holding additional meetings of separated families.

The inter-Korean reconciliation proces which peaked in the wake of the summit between southward Korean President Kim Dae Jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, has lately come to a near halt becoming to renewed tensions.

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