Kwon Ho Ung (2nd L), senior cabinet councilor of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), shakes hands with South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young in Seoul, capital of South Korea, June 21, 2005. Kwon Ho Ung was leading a DPRK delegation to the 15th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting, to be held in Seoul on June 22-24. Chung Dong-young was heading the South Korean delegation. (Xinhua Photo)

Kwon Ho Ung (L front), senior cabinet councilor of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), walks together with South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young in Seoul, capital of South Korea, June 21, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

   SEOUL, June 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The Delegation of the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the inter-Korean ministerial meeting arrived in Seoul Tuesday.

    Kwon Ho Ung, a senior cabinet councilor of DPRK, is leading the five-member DPRK delegation to the 15th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting, and South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young is heading the South Korean delegation.

    The DPRK delegation arrived at Sheraton Walker Hotel in eastern Seoul Tuesday afternoon. The inter-Korean ministerial talks will start on June 22.

    Chung welcomed Kwon at the main gate of the hotel, and the two top delegates held a 20-minute informal dialogue.

    Chung first expressed thanks to Kwon for DPRK side's warm reception last week when he led South Korean government delegation to Pyongyang to attend a joint celebration of the 5th anniversary of inter-Korean summit held in June 2000, according to reporting materials distributed by South Korean Unification Ministry.

    "I met with (National Defense Commission) Chairman Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang and had meaningful discussions with Kim," said Chung.

    In response, Kwon was quoted by the materials as saying, "Today is the Summer Solstice. In the past, peasants planted seeds in theday to get a harvest in Autumn."

    "The meeting between Minister Chung and General Kim Jong Il wasjust like planting seeds for reunification. Let's make efforts," Kwon said.

    Chung also expressed hope that this inter-Korean meeting, resumed after 11-months suspension, will be a new start of inter-Korean relations.

    Kwon echoed Chung by saying, "Let us be of one mind" to produce good results.

    No formal sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, and South Korean officials will give a banquet this evening. The two sides planned to hold two main sessions and several working sessions before ending the meeting on Friday, according to a schedule distributed by South Korean Unification Ministry.

    South Korea and DPRK agreed to reopen the inter-Korean ministerial talks, the highest channel of dialogue between the two countries, in May this year.

    The talks come shortly after the meeting between Chung Dong-young and Kim Jong Il, during which Kim agreed to resume reunions of separated family members in August, to rejoin inter-Korean railways and roads being built as soon as possible, and to resume the inter-Korean general-level military talks.

    This week's inter-Korean meeting is to discuss details of above issues. Enditem