A standing committee meeting of the National Security Council will open Thursday to take appropriate follow-up measures in the wake of North Korea's abrupt postponement on Tuesday of the 5th inter-Korean ministerial talks.

The participants are expected to discuss ways to sound out the true motives behind the delay.

They will also seek early resumption of the ministerial meeting and the realization of a return visit to Seoul by the North Korean Chairman of the Defense Commission Kim Jong-il.