High-level inter-Korean talks called off

High-level inter-governmental talks between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) due to be held in Seoul on June 12-13 was called off on Tuesday over disagreement on chief delegates, according to local media. South Korea and the DPRK agreed on Monday at the working-level talks in the border village of Panmunjom to hold the high-level talks to resolve inter-Korean issues. The two sides, however, disagreed on what should be discussed on the agenda and who should lead the five-member delegation on each side. The delegation of the north side will be headed by minister- level authorities, the DPRK's KCNA news agency report said. Seoul said it will sent Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae to the meeting and wanted Kim Yang Gon, secretary of the Central Committee of Workers' Party of Korea, at the talks, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. Seoul wanted the two-day meeting to discuss normalizing the operation of the Kaesong Industrial Zone, resuming the tours of Mount Kumgang and reunion of families separated by the Korean War. Pyongyang said the meeting will also talk about the issue of jointly celebrating the 13th anniversary of the June 15 South- North Joint Declaration and 41st anniversary of the July 4 North- South Joint Statement, the KCNA reported. The DPRK on Thursday proposed holding inter-governmental meetings with South Korea on inter-Korean issues. The latter accepted the proposal the same day, hoping the talks will become an opportunity to help forge trust. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have intensified since the DPRK launched a rocket on Dec. 12, 2012 and conducted its third nuclear test on Feb. 12, which drew international condemnation.