The two Koreas are set to hold their 19th Cabinet-level talks for four days from Tuesday in Busan, with agendas focused on North Korea's missile tests and its return to the six-way nuclear dialogue.

Pyongyang's delegation led by Chief Cabinet Councilor Kwon Ho-ung is scheduled to arrive in South Korea in the late afternoon and will then attend a welcome dinner in the evening.

The dinner customarily hosted by the prime minister will this time be hosted by Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok in an apparent protest of the North's recent missile tests.

In a keynote speech Wednesday, South Korea is expected to express strong regret over Pyongyang's test-firing of seven missiles last week, including the long-range Daepodong Two, and urge its prompt return to the six-way talks.

Seoul will snub discussions on rice and fertilizer aid that the North will likely bring up, which could dim prospects of adopting a joint statement at the end of the four-day talks.

The two sides will have a final session Thursday before Pyongyang delegates return home Friday but the schedule could change depending on the talks' development.