South and North Korea held the 13th round meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee in Pyongyang from April 18 to 22, 2007.
At the talks, the two sides discussed issues concerning the further development of inter-Korean economic cooperation projects for mutual prosperity and benefit, and agreed as follows:
-The South and the North agreed to take measures necessary for investment and cooperation in order to develop the national (inter-Korean) economy in a balanced manner, and expand and develop the inter-Korean economic cooperation projects.
-The South and the North agreed to carry out test runs of trains on the Gyeongui and Donghae railway lines on May 17, hold related working-level contact in Gaeseong from April 27 to 28, 2007, and make joint efforts to realize the operation of the railroads and roads at an early time.
-The two sides agreed to actively cooperate so that the military guarantee measures can be implemented before the test run of the railways.
-The South and the North agreed to adopt "Amendments to the Agreement on Inter-Korean Cooperation in Light Industry and Mineral Resource Development" that amend some provisions of the "Agreement on Inter-Korean Cooperation in Light Industry and Mineral Resource Development," which had been adopted at the 12th round meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee.
-In connection, the South will provide the North with raw materials for light industry starting from June on a loan basis, and the North will cooperate for a smooth promotion of mineral resource development by conducting joint on-site inspections at designated development sites in June as well as securing and providing necessary data.
-To this end, the two sides agreed to hold a working-level consultation on the inter-Korean cooperation in light industry and mineral resources development in Gaeseong from May 2 to 4, 2007 to discuss and decide on detailed matters.
-To vitalize construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex the South and the North agreed to hold the 3rd working-level contact on the construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in Gaeseong in May to discuss transit, customs, telecommunication, supply of North Korean labor, accommodations, construction of convenient facilities, and the preparation work for the second stage development of the complex.
-The South and the North agreed to hold a working-level contact on joint ventures in third countries in Gaeseong in June and discuss detailed matters.
-The South and the North agreed to adopt and implement the agreement on the prevention of flooding along Imjin River by exchanging related documents in early May.
-In connection, the North agreed to cooperate in allowing the South Korean personnel to visit the sites to provide materials, equipments and technical support for operation of equipment in implementing the agreement.
-The South and the North agreed to hold a working-level contact at the earliest time and promote the project of excavating sand and gravel at the mouth of Han River, as soon as the military guarantee measures are put in place.
-The South and the North agreed to hold working-level contacts on prevention of natural disasters as well as cooperation in science and technology in Gaeseong in June; and the two sides agreed to discuss and decide on the schedule for the working-level contacts for fishery cooperation, business arbitration committee, and a joint committee for transit and immigration in Gaeseong and Mt. Geumgang by exchanging related documents.
-In spirit of fraternity and humanitarianism, the South agreed to provide the North with 400,000 tons of rice on a loan basis.
-The 14th round meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee will be held in the South in July 2007, and the detailed schedule will be discussed and determined by exchanging related documents.
April 22, 2007
Pyongyang
전진영 기자
