PYONGYANG, Sept. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea ended their 16th inter-Korean ministerial talks here Friday with agreement to ease military tension and expand economic cooperation.

    Both sides agreed to restart military talks.

    "We have decided to make efforts for a durable peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek substantial measures to ease military tension," the two sides said in a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting.

    They also vowed to develop inter-Korean relationship by scrapping outdated mind-set and practices in the framework of admitting and respecting each other's ideology and system.

    On economic cooperation, the two sides said they would seek practical rather than face-saving approaches towards expansion of ties.

    They agreed to remove investment and trade barriers, so as to promote common prosperity and development.

    According to the statement, they will make arrangements for family reunion at the scenic spot of Mt. Kumgang, as well as two family reunion video link-ups by the end of this year.

    The joint statement said both sides agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting on Dec.13-16 in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju.

    The South Korean delegation left Pyongyang late Friday. They arrived Tuesday on a chartered plane. Enditem