DATE=12/13/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KOREA/TALKS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-270421

BYLINE=HYUNG-SUNG KHANG

DATELINE=SEOUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: South Korea has asked the North to step up inter-Korean contacts. The request came during a ministers meeting in Pyongyang. As Hyun-Sung Khang reports, Seoul is concerned about what it sees as a slowing of contact improvements between the two countries.

TEXT: On the first full day of these talks, South Korean Unification Minister Park Jae-kyu called on the North to push ahead with joint inter-Korea projects - including another meeting of separated families. He proposed a reunion before the beginning of the new lunar year, January 24th. The South Korean news agency, Yonhap, says the minister also suggested opening a permanent reunion center for separated families by March.

Seoul officials raised concern the pace for improvement relations between the two former enemies is slowing down since the historic meeting between their leaders in June. In recent weeks, Pyongyang has postponed a number of joint projects including a third set of family reunions, the exchange of letters between families and a meeting between defense chiefs.

North Korea has blamed logistical difficulties for the delays, but South Korean officials say that explanation is insufficient. There are some speculation that the North wants to limit their people's exposure to South Korea's capitalist system.

The talks in Pyongyang are the fourth such discussions this year. The ministers will assess recent inter-Korean contact and set the tone for further cooperation in future. Seoul is also hoping to set a date for a visit to the South by North Korean

leader, Kim Jong Il. (signed)

NEB/HK/SK/HB/wd