The third round of inter-Korean general-level military talks will open next week for the first time in nearly two years.

Top military officials from the two sides will meet for two days from next Thursday at Tongilgak Pavilion in the northern side of the border truce village of Panmunjom.

Discussions are expected to mainly focus on military-related guarantees for the opening of cross-border roads and railroads, the prevention of naval skirmishes and the forming of joint fishing zones in the West Sea.

Seoul and Pyongyang last held military talks in June 2004 near Mount Seorak on South Korea's eastern coast.