Koreas at Impasse on Fishing Zone

The second day of talks between North and South Korean defense ministers hit a snag today, writes Reuters, as efforts to find a compromise on the disputed maritime border fell short. The two ministers had also sought to begin steps towards a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War, but the North is unwilling to do so before a new border is established and the US pledges not to attack the North.

Following the South Korean president's visit to Pyongyang last month, the two nations had hoped to increase economic collaboration by establishing a shared fishing zone in the Yellow Sea. The disputed border was unilaterally established by UN-led forces at the war's end; while the South respects it, the North declared it invalid in 1999. Now the North wants fishing rights far below the current armistice line. (More North Korea stories.)