North Korea has postponed an inter-Korean railway cooperation meeting.

The Unification Ministry said the two-day talks were supposed to open Tuesday in Gaesong. But they were delayed at the North's request.

Pyongyang asked for a delay through a liaison officer in the truce village of Panmunjeom, citing a lack of preparations.

The railway meeting would be this year’s first inter-Korean contact if held as scheduled.

Many wonder if Pyongyang will note the planned closure of the South Korean Unification Ministry during the meeting.