The government says it will urge North Korea to quickly implement initial steps toward nuclear dismantlement at the 13th round of inter-Korean economic cooperation talks opening Wednesday in Pyongyang.

Confirming the schedule for the four-day meeting, senior Unification Ministry official Kim Joong-tae told a briefing Tuesday that Seoul will convey its stance on the nuclear stalemate to Pyongyang, but didn't say what that would be.

During their meeting in the North Korean capital, the two sides will also discuss South Korea's rice aid to the North, holding test runs of two inter-Korean railways before June and cooperation in light industry and mineral resources.