Kim Ryong Song, who had led the DPRK delegation in previous two inter-Korean talks, sent the proposal via telephone message to Minister of the South Korean Ministry of Unification Jeong Se-hyun, said a Ministry of Unification spokesman who was quoted by the Yonhap News.

South Korea will give reply to the proposal as soon as possible, the spokesman said.

The 10th inter-Korean ministerial talks failed to be held on its slated date of April 7-10, because Pyongyang did not give its response to the South Korea's proposal of discussing the agenda and details of the talks.

Another two inter-Korean talks on economic and maritime cooperation were also delayed by the DPRK side.

On Friday, South Korea urged the DPRK to enter inter-Korean dialogue as soon as possible to discuss peace on the Korean Peninsula and other issues.

The ninth inter-Korean ministerial meeting was held on Jan. 21-24 in Seoul.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2003)