The 21st inter-Korean ministerial talks in Seoul are deadlocked over Seoul’s decision to delay the provision of rice aid to North Korea.

The two sides have failed to speak since Thursday afternoon, raising the possibility of an extension for the meeting, which are scheduled to conclude Friday.

The North’s delegation has virtually refused to continue the talks, saying it will not hold discussions on other agenda or exchange drafts for a joint statement until Seoul addresses the delay of the rice shipment.

Meanwhile, President Roh Moo-hyun met with Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung Thursday and reaffirmed the government’s stance of putting off the delivery of some 400-thousand tons of rice to the North until Pyongyang effectively implements a February nuclear dismantlement agreement.

The head of the National Intelligence Service Kim Man-bok also met with Minister Lee ahead of Lee’s meeting with the president.