Senior officials from the two Koreas have convened the first South-North ministerial talks in 13 months.

The first day of discussions in Seoul began Wednesday with keynote speeches by chief delegates of the two sides laying out their positions on major topics.

South Korea is expected to urge the North to return the six-nation nuclear talks while North Korea is expected to request more economic aid from the South. Also on the agenda are resumption of high-level military and fisheries talks and reunions of separated families.

After holding discussions, delegates will visit the Namyangju Studio Complex northeast of Seoul to learn about the South Korean filmmaking process.

The North Korean delegation is scheduled to issue a joint statement after discussions with the South on Thursday and attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan before returning home on Friday.

The North's five-member delegation arrived in Seoul on Tuesday afternoon for four days of Cabinet-level talks. In a speech at a welcoming dinner, the South’s chief delegate, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, stressed the need for more dialogue and mutual trust and respect between the two Koreas.

In response, the North’s top delegate, Senior Cabinet Councillor Kwon Ho-ung, expressed anticipation that the ongoing ministerial talks will provide a new breakthrough for inter-Korean ties.