Vice Unification Minister Rhee Bong-jo on Thursday said the two Koreas will open this month a communication network linking South Korea with the North's Gaesong Industrial Complex.

Korea Telecom of South Korea in November obtained U.S. approval to install telecommunication equipment in the complex.

The company in July asked the U.S. Commerce Department to approve the seven pieces of equipment. American regulations ban the export of strategic products such as precision machinery and high-tech computers to terrorism-sponsoring countries.

With the opening of the communication network, South Korean companies operating in the complex will see improved service, with the phone charge falling to 40 cents a minute from 2.30 dollars.

Meanwhile, Rhee said the two Koreas will hold a second-round of working-level talks Wednesday in Gaesong on fielding a unified team for the Doha Asian Games next year and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.