South Korea has proposed opening South-North military talks some time within the month on the second day of inter-Korean ministerial talks.

South Korea's chief delegate, Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun, made the proposal in a keynote speech at the meeting's first full session Wednesday, citing the possibility of escalating military tensions in the Yellow Sea with the beginning of the crab-fishing season.

On Pyongyang's nuclear standoff, Jeong said substantial measures must be agreed upon in the upcoming six-way working-level nuclear talks slated to open in Beijing next Wednesday for a peaceful resolution to the nuclear impasse.

Jeong also proposed holding the 10th round of reunions of separated family members around June 15, the fourth anniversary of the South-North summit.

Jeong also expressed his deep condolences over the recent train explosion in the North and vowed Seoul's best efforts to help the victims of the Ryongchon train blast.