The 21st inter-Korean ministerial talks have ended without substantial results due to conflicts over a delay in Seoul’s rice shipment to the North.

The two sides on Friday held a wrap-up meeting, during which they approved a joint statement but failed to set a date for the next set of talks.

In their joint statement, the two Koreas said that they held sincere, serious discussions on practical issues and principles related to the development of inter-Korean relations. The two sides agreed to work on ways to promote peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula in line with the spirit of the historic summit of June 15th, 2000.

Earlier in the day, the two sides made last-ditch efforts to produce a breakthrough on the rice aid issue, but failed to narrow differences due to the North’s continued demand for its provision.

The North Korean delegation returned to Pyongyang the same day on a direct flight from Incheon International Airport.