An inter-Korean committee on establishing a peace zone in the West Sea held its inaugural meeting Friday in the North Korean border city of Gaesong.

During the first plenary session, the two sides explained their respective positions and plans for various projects related to the peace zone.

In the keynote speech, South Korean delegation chief Baek Jong-chun outlined Seoul’s plans for the establishment of a special economic zone in Haeju, the development of Haeju port, the joint use of the Han River estuary and shared fishing grounds in the West Sea.

Baek highlighted a proposal for the joint development of the proposed special economic zone as an export-oriented seaside industrial complex. He suggested that it could be connected to the Gaesong Industrial Complex and South Korea's Incheon Port in the long term.

In response, Baek’s North Korean counterpart Pak Song-nam proposed conducting an on-site survey for those projects next year.

The two sides will continue discussions until Saturday.