By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter

Officials from South and North Korea will convene for Cabinet-level talks in Pyongyang on Tuesday to discuss the South’s aid to the disaster-hit North and the resumption of inter-Korean military talks.

In the first high-level inter-Korean meeting since the devastating train explosion in the North Korean town of Ryongchon on April 22, the 14th ministerial talks will focus on detailed relief and reconstruction plans to help the thousands of blast victims, Unification Ministry officials said on Monday.

With working-group meetings _ aimed at smoothing the way for the six-party nuclear talks _ scheduled on May 12, officials said Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun, Seoul’s chief delegate, is likely to urge the North to sincerely participate in the multilateral dialogue.

During their four-day stay in Pyongyang, the Southern delegation will also seek an early opening of inter-Korean general-level military talks _ one of the most difficult but necessary meetings between the divided Koreas.

South Korea will also propose forming a committee on social and cultural exchanges, facilitating more reunions of separated families and promoting inter-Korean economic cooperation.

The North, for its part, is expected to request food aid, most likely some 40 tons of rice as it did last year, and urge support for inter-Korean exchanges in the private sector.

The North’s delegation will be headed by Kwon Ho-ung, a cabinet councilor who recently replaced Kim Ryong-song as the new chief negotiator for talks with the South.

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr