North, South Korea Agree to Economic Talks, Stall on Military Summit

South Korean representatives had sought to set a firm date to discuss the railway, which was severed shortly before the Korean war began in 1950. A South Korean statement said North and South agreed to hold talks “as soon as possible and also agreed that each side needs to secure military steps shortly to help build railways and roads between the two Koreas.”

However a North Korean statement said “[b]oth sides agreed to make a proposal to their military,” on cooperative projects.

Tracks for the railway would cut through the heavily-fortified demilitarized zone along the border patrolled by troops from the North and South, as well as other nations, including the U.S.

Rhee Bong-jo, a South Korean delegation member, told reporters later the two countries would probably discuss the subject at a meeting on economic cooperation in Seoul. That meeting, slated for later this month, is one of several rounds of further talks the two Koreas scheduled during this week’s summit.

Also planned is a set of talks with the Red Cross to select North and South Korean families for proposed reunions later in the month. The talks would be aimed at establishing a permanent place for reunions of families separated by the countries’ half-century conflict.

Rhee said the continuing dialogue “is expected to positively affect” relations between North Korea and the U.S., a key South Korean ally. Earlier this week, North Korea threatened to pull out of a 1994 nuclear agreement with the U.S.