Koreas agree security steps for train run -Yonhap

SEOUL, May 9 (Reuters) North and South Korea have agreed security measures on a highly symbolic train run across the border, the first in more than 50 years, Yonhap news agency reported today.

During talks that began yesterday just north of the border, Seoul has tried to sway its communist neighbour to at least allow a scheduled train run on May 17, Yonhap said citing a spokesman for the South Korean delegation.

''The two sides had no differences in making military security measures needed for the trial operation of trains on May 17,'' South Korean Army Colonel Moon Sung-mook, spokesman for the South Korean delegation, told pool reporters.

South Korea has long sought the rail crossings, which it considers a major step toward improving ties. It has promised Pyongyang aid worth tens of millions of dollars to its industries if it allows test runs at the two border crossings.

Last year, North Korea's military vetoed a test run at the last minute due to security concerns and relations with the South then soured in October after the North's nuclear test.

Both countries remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

South Korea has built two rail crossings, one on the east coast and one in the west, about 60 km (40 miles) northwest of Seoul.

Generals from the two Koreas are scheduled to finish their rare talks tomorrow.

The talks got off to a rocky start because the North wanted the discussions to include a broader agenda such as preventing clashes in disputed waters off the west coast.

REUTERS SKB HT1937