South and North Korean writers meeting in Shenyang, China to organize a joint conference of writers are reporting progress in their talks.

If realized, the writers' conference would be the first such event since the Korean War.

South Korean organizers said Sunday that delegations from the two Koreas are trying to map out the agenda and other details for the conference, scheduled from Aug. 24-29 in Pyongyang.

But concerns have been raised over the prospects of the conference amid recent signs of diplomatic unease between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Fresh tension surfaced early last month after Seoul prohibited a group of civic activists from visiting Pyongyang for the 10th anniversary of the death of former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. Pyongyang denounced the move as "unethical" and "inhumane."

Last week, Seoul brought 450 North Korean defectors from a Southeast Asian country, further escalating tensions with the North. North Korea blasted the move as "premeditated abduction and terrorism in broad daylight."