An inter-Korean maritime agreement calling for the equal treatment of commercial vessels from both nations when visiting each other's ports came into effect on Friday.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in Seoul said on Saturday that the agreement requires the two Koreas to open their maritime routes and ports and allow bilateral vessels to travel to each other’s maritime zone after issuing a permit from a relevant party.

Under the agreement, the two Koreas are also required to cooperate in the event of maritime accidents such as shipwrecks, vessel collisions and marine pollution caused by oil leaks.

Meanwhile, the two Koreas will hold three days of working-level talks in the South Korean city of Munsan near the inter-Korean border from Monday to further discuss maritime cooperation.

In the meeting, the two sides will discuss specific procedures to allow North Korean civilian commercial vessels to pass through the Jeju Strait.