The 21st inter-Korean ministerial talks have ended without a joint statement as the two sides reached a deadlock over Seoul's suspension of rice aid to the North.

Top negotiators from the two sides held a meeting in the morning but failed to agree on a joint statement.

The last ministerial meeting to end without a joint statement was in July 2006.

Although Seoul proposed a working-level meeting Wednesday night, the North Korean delegation refused, citing the rice issue.

Meanwhile, President Roh Moo-hyun reaffirmed his decision to suspend the delivery of the rice during a meeting with Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung on Wednesday.