First high-level talks in seven years to be held between 2 Koreas

SEOUL, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- High-level talks between North and South Korea, the first in seven years, were scheduled at short notice on North Korea's request, officials said Tuesday.

The meeting on the border between the two Koreas was scheduled for Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported. Kim Eui-do, a spokesman for South Korea's unification ministry, said Kim Kyou-hyun, a top official with the National Security Council, will lead the South Korean delegation, while Won Dong Yon, deputy head of the body in the Workers' Party that deals with inter-Korean affairs, will represent the North.

North Korea made its request Saturday. The North has threatened to suspend family reunions unless South Korea and the United States call off joint military exercises.

The talks will be held in Panmunjon, the village where the 1953 truce was signed, the New York Times reported.

"There is no preset agenda for this meeting," Kim said. "But we expect to discuss issues of key concern, such as holding reunions of separated families smoothly and making them regular events."

Family reunions are planned Feb. 20-25 at the resort of Mount Kumgang, Yonhap reported.