North and South Korean prime ministers hold first talks in 15 years

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The prime ministers of North and South Korea launched their first talks in 15 years on a harmonious note Wednesday, apparently agreeing to quickly implement economic cooperation projects devised at a summit of their leaders last month. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for an "immediate implementation of projects that can be carried out soon" at the start of meetings with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Il, according to South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung. "South and North Korea should develop into an economic community by further expanding economic cooperation," Han said later at a dinner with the North Koreans. Kim said the two sides should build trust to follow through on agreements from last month's summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, according to Lee.