Four days of inter-Korean ministerial talks began in North Korea's capital of Pyongyang Tuesday.

The South Korean delegation led by Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun arrived in the afternoon at Sunan Airport on the outskirts of the North Korean capital.

Prior to departing for Pyongyang, Jeong said the North's nuclear issue would be a major agenda item, adding that he would try to persuade Pyongyang to ease its hardline stance towards the U.S. in order to facilitate a resolution to the 19-month-old nuclear dispute.

Also high on the agenda, is a review of progress on several joint projects including the re-linking of cross-border transportation routes and construction of an industrial park in the North.

Minister Jeong said he would also urge North Korea to attend a high-level defense meeting with the South as agreed on in previous inter-Korean talks held in February.

South Korean officials say no formal talks or events are scheduled for Tuesday except for a banquet, although informal discussions are expected. The two sides plan to hold three main dialogue sessions before ending the talks on Friday.

The North's delegation, led by Cabinet Councilor Kwon Ho-ung, is expected to request food aid and urge support for private level cross-border exchanges.

The cabinet-level talks have been held alternately in the Southern and Northern capitals at irregular intervals of several months. This latest round of talks will be the 14th such meeting since 2000.