A North Korean delegation to attend inter-Korean independence celebrations in Seoul next month will stay in the city's downtown area.

The Seoul preparatory committee for the event on Thursday said the North made the request to that effect in working-level talks Wednesday in the North Korean border city of Gaesong.

The delegation will thus stay at the Seoul Grand Hilton instead of the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel.

In the talks, Pyongyang cited anti-North Korea rallies by conservative groups in Seoul during last month's ministerial meeting, urging Seoul to prevent a recurrence in the upcoming celebrations.

The four-day event will open on August 14th, a day before Liberation Day.