Korean economy talks delayed

Inter-Korean economic talks today have been scuttled by North Korean concerns about political instability in the South after last week’s presidential impeachment.

Both sides had agreed to hold the talks in the South Korean city of Paju. But communist North Korea yesterday urged that they be moved to the North Korean city of Kaesong because of the “very unstable” political situation in the South.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said today the talks were called off and postponed indefinitely.

South Korea’s two main opposition parties voted on Friday to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun on charges of illegal campaigning and incompetence, the first such move in South Korean history.