S.Korea, DPRK agree to jointly control forest disease, pest in border region

South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have agreed to jointly control disease and pest of forest in areas near the inter-Korean border, Seoul's unification ministry said on Thursday.

The agreement came after working-level delegates from the two sides held talks at the Peace House, a South Korean building in the border village of Panmunjom, on Wednesday.

Under the joint statement, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to take joint actions in forest disease and pest control at the inter-Korean border region and areas that need pest control work.

To carry out cooperation in the forest disease and pest control, the two sides will make an on-site visit to the areas in mid-July. After the visit, South Korea will take necessary measures to control forest disease and pest.

The two Koreas agreed to hold discussions on forest creation and protection and carry out cooperation projects by stages including modernization of tree nurseries, agroforestry, joint action against forest fires and erosion control work.

To increase cooperation in forestry science and technology, South Korea and the DPRK will exchange scientific and technological achievements in foreign creation and protection.

The two sides agreed to discuss the organization of a working group to carry out inter-Korean forest cooperation projects and matters necessary in implementing the agreements reached at the Wednesday talks.

The discussion will be made in the form of document exchange through the Panmunjom communications channel.