By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The government proposed Monday holding inter-Korean talks Wednesday to discuss ways of preventing flooding of the Imjin River near the border.
The South Korean Red Cross office also suggested having talks with its North Korean counterpart on the resumption of reunions of separated families and other humanitarian issues.
North Korea has yet to respond to either of the two proposals.
"During the working-level talks, we want to discuss ways of preventing a recurrence of flooding incidents," Chun Hae-sung, spokesman of the Ministry of Unification, said.
The secretive state discharged water from an upstream dam without any notice last month, which left six South Koreans dead.
The South has asked for an explanation and apology but the North still remains silent over the incident.
Ways of resuming the reunions of families separated by the Korean War (1950-53) would likely be a major agenda item for the proposed meeting between the Red Cross offices.
"The Red Cross sent a letter from its President Yoo Jong-ha to his North Korean counterpart Jang Jae-on, suggesting talks take place at the Mt. Geumgang resort, Friday," a spokesman for the organization said.
The program had been suspended for 23 months after the reclusive state unilaterally cut off communication channels.
After Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun's visit to the North in August, the two Koreas held a one-time reunion event from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1.
There is no timetable set for further reunions yet.
Meanwhile, spokesman Chun declined to specify the "other humanitarian issues," saying it was inappropriate to speculate on anything before the meeting takes place.
Some North Korea watchers speculate that food and fertilizer aid programs could be discussed at the Red Cross talks since the government has stressed that it is prioritizing humanitarian issues.
Inter-Korean relations have soured since February last year when the Lee Myung-bak administration took office with a tougher stance toward the North Korean regime.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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