South and North Korea have discussed Seoul’s delayed provision of rice aid on the second day of the 21st inter-Korean ministerial talks.

In a meeting of the two sides' chief negotiators Wednesday, the North strongly protested the delayed shipment of 400-thousand tons of rice aid. Seoul explained that the aid is linked to Pyongyang's implementation of its nuclear disarmament steps in line with the six-party nuclear agreement reached in February.

At a meeting held earlier in the day, South Korea proposed holding a joint academic conference to discuss a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of an inter-Korean economic community.

Seoul also asked Pyongyang to hold bilateral defense ministers' talks to discuss easing military tensions and the gradual reopening of cross-border railways.

North Korea responded by urging South Korea to take proper steps such as abolishing its National Security Law and ending joint military exercises with the U.S.