장성급 군사회담, 공동보도문 조율 및 종료 기다리는 중<br /><br /> Inter-Korean high-level military talks are held for the first time in over a decade.<br /> Generals from the two sides are at the border village of Panmunjom... discussing ways to ease cross-border tensions as a follow-up to the Panmunjom Declaration.<br />Also in the background is this week's freeze-for-freeze deal between Pyongyang and Washington... in which the North promised to halt its nuclear program and the U.S. said it would be suspending its war games in the region.<br />Our Park Ji-won has been keeping an eye on these talks in Panmunjom.<br />We'll go live to her now at Seoul's Office for Inter-Korean Dialogue.<br />Jiwon?<br /><br /> Daniel.<br />Today's talks are nearing their end at Tongilgak, on the North Korean side of Panmunjom,... some 50 kilometers north of Seoul.<br />According to South Korea's defense ministry joint press corps,... the two sides are currently working on a joint agreement,... but no details announced as of now.<br /> The talks started at 10 a.m. on Thursday... with five delegates on each side,... and they've been immersed in talks for hours now, even forgoing a lunch break.<br />Although details of the talks are yet to be unveiled, the chief negotiators, Major General Kim Do-gyun from the South Korean delegation and Lieutenant General Ahn Ik-san from the North Korean delegation, made their opening remarks to the media earlier in the day. <br />A lieutenant general in North Korea is equivalent to a major general in South Korea.<br />Let's hear what the two chief negotiators spoke before the talks began.<br /><br /> "As the two leaders have already presented a clear map regarding military affairs, I think both South and North Korea can achieve the expected results in these highly anticipated talks,... if we discuss the issues in the firm spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration." <br /><br /> "At this historic moment, when the whole Korean nation is attempting to promote peace and prosperity,... I am deeply moved to see North and South Korea's military authorities sitting down here, face to face,... to discuss military issues in order to implement the Panmunjom Declaration." <br /><br /> The talks are set for one day only,... but more of these inter-Korean military talks on a variety of issues are expected to be scheduled soon. <br />I will bring you updates in the next newscast.<br />Back to you, Daniel. <br />
