The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) asked South Korea to speed up inter-Korean talks in a more practical way, according to a pool report from South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told it to accompanying reporters in Pyongyang on Thursday, after holding talks with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and director of the United Front Department of the DPRK.
Cho has been in Pyongyang from Tuesday to lead government and sports delegations of South Korea for a friendly basketball match with DPRK players.
According to Cho, Kim offered to the South Korean unification minister proceeding with inter-Korean dialogue more rapidly and practically by preparing better between the two sides.
The WPK Central Committee vice chairman told Cho that Seoul and Pyongyang should make joint efforts to produce concrete, visible outcomes, which people of the two sides can recognize, by implementing the agreements reached between the two sides more rapidly and actively.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un held their first summit meeting on April 27 at the border village of Panmunjom, agreeing to strengthen cooperation and exchange to improve inter-Korean ties.
Working-level talks were held between the two sides last week and earlier this week to start cooperation in railways, roads and forestry.
The two sides agreed to hold the reunion in August of Korean families separated across the border since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with armistice.
South Korea and the DPRK also agreed to let their athletes march together at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games and field a joint team in some sports events.
