South and North Korea are to hold high-level military talks later this month to discuss pending military issues.

In a telephone message on Wednesday, the North proposed that general-level officials of the two sides meet at the North's Mount Geumgang on May 26 and hold preparatory talks on Friday to pave the way for high-level military talks.

At the inter-Korean ministerial talks last week, Seoul had proposed to hold the military talks this month to discuss ways to reduce military tensions. South Korea wants to avoid naval skirmishes along the poorly marked western sea border as fishing boats jostle for position during crab-catching season in May and June.

North Korean fishing boats have occasionally crossed into waters controlled by South Korea during crab season.

Dozens of sailors from both sides were killed or wounded in naval clashes at the western sea border in recent years.