North Korea’s chief delegate to inter-Korean working-level talks Ri Son-kwon says four South Koreans being detained by Pyongyang are being investigated by related agencies.

Ri made the statement during a round of talks held at Gaeseong on Tuesday after the South’s delegation inquired about the identities and whereabouts of the South Koreans who Pyongyang claims entered the communist state illegally.

The North Korean delegation said the investigation on the South Koreans is expected to take some time, adding that it would notify the South of the probe’s results.

Meanwhile, at the working-level talks, the two sides reaffirmed previous accords reached in 2007 on cross-border passage, communications and customs clearances regarding Gaeseong.

The two sides agreed to discuss in further detail the three issues by holding two separate meetings --- one concentrating on the issue of passage and the other focusing on communications and customs clearances.