South and North Korea hold their working-level military talks on Monday in preparation for the upcoming inter-Korean defense ministerial talks, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

"Today's working-level talks are to prepare for the defense ministerial talks," said South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Kang Yong-hee.

It is unclear whether the two sides will be able to set the date for the talks during Monday's meeting, he said.

The two sides might have another preparatory meeting if needed, he added.

South Korean Army Col. Moon Sung-mook leads the South Korean delegation to the meeting held at the truce village of Panmunjom. His North Korean counterpart is Army Col. Pak Rim-su.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun reached an agreement with North Korean top leader Kim Jong-il early October that the defense ministers of the two sides will hold a meeting in November. 　

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2007)