Inter-Korean talks in the North Korean border town of Kaesong on Monday discussed resumption of package tours to Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong. The North Korean delegation called for resumption of Kaesong tours on Mar. 1 and of Mt. Kumgang tours on April 1.

The North claimed three prerequisites suggested by Seoul had already been satisfied. The conditions are an investigation of the fatal shooting of a South Korean tourist at the Mt. Kumgang resort area in 2008, efforts to ensure that such incidents will not recur, and a cast-iron guarantee of the safety of South Korean tourists.

A Unification Ministry official concluded the two sides "only confirmed that there's a difference in views between them."

At the start of the talks, the South Korean delegates offered a silent tribute to Park Wang-ja, who was killed at Mt. Kumgang. The North Korean delegates did not join them but raised no objection, the ministry said.

The North proposed another round of talks on Feb. 12, but the South Korean delegation declined, instead asking the North to make progress in efforts to meet the three conditions first.