South Korea's unification minister says, the two Koreas will hold another summit this fall as stipulated in their summit agreement in April.<br />And they'll strive to take some real steps to achieve peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.<br />Government officials in Seoul wouldn't say whether that'll mean economic cooperation,... but they stressed that North Korea is more determined than ever on that front.<br />Oh Jung-hee reports. <br /> A sustainable framework for inter-Korean relations... and practical steps toward peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.<br />That's what South Korea hopes to achieve through its next summit talks with North Korea in the fall,... according to Seoul's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon, who spoke to reporters on Monday.<br /><br /> "At summit talks in the fall, we hope to reach a stage where we could take earnest and conrcete steps for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. We should be thoroughly prepared on a comprehensive level... so that inter-Korean relations become institutionalized... and therefore, sustainable."<br /><br /> Whether that means that economic cooperation between Seoul and Pyongyang **can start in the fall,... the unification ministry couldn't say for sure... because that depends on whether international sanctions on North Korea are lifted.<br />But, an unnamed high-level official stressed... that North Korea is firm and more willing than ever to pursue economic development,... with leader Kim Jong-un himself feeling the need to adopt new and innovative technology.<br /> North Korea has also been proactive in discussing cooperation with South Korea on railways, roads, and forestation,... even suggesting -- at last week's talks -- doing things a bit more quickly... and taking more tangible steps.<br /> Based on these, the official said, Seoul hopes in the future to also put on the table President Moon Jae-in's "New Economic Map,"... which aims to connect and develop economic belts with North Korea.<br /><br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News. <br />
