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A meeting of ministers chaired by President Lee Myung-bak apparently decided for membership but rescheduled the announcement for fear of negative effects on already brittle ties with North Korea.

"We haven't finished consultations with the countries concerned yet, and there's still an internal process," a Foreign Ministry official said. "But there is no change whatsoever in the government's plan to join the PSI."

The government is in the process of briefing China and Russia and seeking their understanding.

There is some speculation that it is discord within the government that is delaying the announcement.

(englishnews@chosun.com )