November 14, 2007 (LPAC)-- Prime ministers of South and North Korea started a three-day (Nov.14-16) talks on Wednesday in Seoul, the first in 15 years. The talks are expected to lead to reconciliation and closer economic cooperation between the two countries. North Korean premier Kim Yong-il and his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo are expected to discuss economic programs, including a railway link, creation of a fishing zone, shipbuilding projects and the joint use of ports. Seoul officials are also expected to push for an early expansion of a South Korea-built industrial complex in the North's border town of Kaesong, the key symbol of rapprochement between the divided Koreas following the first-ever summit of their leaders in 2000.

At a briefing in the press center for the inter-Korean Prime ministerial talks, South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said that Wednesday's plenary meeting between the two sides was held in a "amicable" atmosphere. "The day's meeting ended amid a good atmosphere, as it began in a very amicable mood and the sides attended it with a very friendly and enthusiastic attitude," Lee said.

The atmosphere in which the talks began was extremely positive. The visiting North Korean premier, Kim, described the joint declaration adopted in last October's inter-Korean summit as a "milestone" that would open up a new era of peace and reconciliation for the divided Koreas, South Korean officials said. He vowed to make the utmost efforts to produce "positive results" in talks.