The stalled Korean unification process has received a boost with the announcement that ministerial talks are to resume between North and South Korea next week.
The breakthrough came as the South Korean President, Mr Kim Dae-jung, finalised his cabinet reshuffle following the passing of an opposition no-confidence motion against the Unification Minister on Monday.
A South Korean government spokesman said yesterday that North Korea had agreed to a proposal for talks to be held from September 15th to 18th in Seoul.
The two Koreas are technically still at war under a 1953 armed truce. Mr Kim won last year's Nobel Peace Prize largely for his efforts to improve relations with Pyongyang.
Both countries held a series of meetings after an historic summit in Pyongyang last June, but the process cooled earlier this year.
The talks are expected to address reunions for families separated by the closed border, and plans to reconnect rail and road links blown up a half century ago.
A presidential spokesman said yesterday that military issues may also be discussed.
President Kim's "sunshine policy" of engagement with North Korea has come under fire from the main opposition party for going too far on lightweight social and sporting contacts, while not going hard enough on military matters.
The two Koreas held their first talks last year but with little result. The road and rail project across the landmine-laden demilitarised zone has stalled since the North called off construction work in May.
The South believes the project could mean tremendous cost savings for businesses that rely on shipping lanes for exports to China, Russia and Europe.
Meanwhile, President Kim Dae-jung is expected to announce his new cabinet line-up today, replacing between four and eight cabinet minister.
The Prime Minister, Mr Lee Han-dong, said he would agree to a request from the President to stay on in his post.
All cabinet ministers tendered their resignations on Tuesday in protest at a parliament vote to sack the Unification Minister, Mr Lim Dong-won.