President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il have begun formal summit talks on the second day of the South Korean president's visit to Pyongyang.

Presidential spokesman Kim Jeong-seob said that the morning session began at the Baekhwawon State Guesthouse around 9:30 a.m. and continuted for about two hours and ten minutes.

The South Korean side included Finance Minister Kwon O-kyu, Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung, National Intelligence Service Director Kim Man-bok, chief presidential security aide Baek Jong-chun and presidential aide Cho Myung-kyun.

The North Korean leader was accompanied by United Front Department head Kim Yang-gon.

The two sides discussed inter-Korean issues including a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, mutual prosperity, and reconciliation and unification. No details of their discussions were disclosed. A second session is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roh's special delegates will hold in-depth discussions with their North Korean counterparts on inter-Korean cooperation in the political, social, cultural and four other fields.