Inter-Korean talks end without fishing deal

High-level military talks between North and South Korea ended Friday without agreement on a proposed joint fishing area to avert clashes in the Yellow Sea, officials said.

The two sides, meeting in the frontier truce village of Panmunjom, failed to resolve disagreements over their disputed sea border - a precondition for setting up the shared fishing area. "Both sides agreed to continue discussions on this matter at the next general-level talks, as there are differences over it," said a statement from Seoul's defence ministry.

A ministry spokesman said no date for the next meeting was set. And other officials admitted it may not take place under President Roh Moo-Hyun, whose five-year term ends in February.

In October Roh and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il agreed in principle on sweeping joint economic projects, including a "peace zone" encompassing a joint economic zone around the North's Haeju city.

The joint fishing area was to be part of this. It was designed to avoid a repetition of bloody naval battles in 1999 and 2002.

Panmunjom, Friday, AFP