Prime ministerial talks between the two Koreas, agreed on at the inter-Korean summit, may open early next month.

An unidentified government official says that South and North Korea have virtually agreed to hold the talks in early November in accordance with the summit agreement to hold the meeting as early as possible.

Prime ministers of the two countries are expected to focus on economic projects that they could easily agree on and swiftly carry out.

Meanwhile, a proposed West Sea joint fishing area and military guarantees for the economic projects will be discussed at the defense chiefs' meeting scheduled in Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is known to be interested in the prime ministerial talks and that North Korean Premier Kim Yong-il attended most of the official summit events last week.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has canceled his trip this month to the Middle East and Africa to prepare for the inter-Korean talks.