Defense ministers of the two Koreas agreed Thursday to a seven-point accord calling for security guarantees for inter-Korean economic projects and another round of defense ministers' talks to be held next year.

However, they failed to narrow differences over a proposed joint fishing area in the West Sea even as they agreed to continue discussing the matter at future military talks.

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to avoid the use of military force and to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes.

The South and North Korean officials signed the seven-point agreement in Pyongyang, which included details on how to implement joint economic projects.

After the signing, a South Korean delegation led by Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo returned to Seoul on a chartered plane.