South Korea and Japan began their tenth round of vice-ministerial strategic talks in Japan Saturday.

During the two-day talks, Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo and his counterpart Mitoji Yabunaka are expected to focus discussions on the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship, North Korea, regional cooperation and ways to boost bilateral ties.

South Korea and Japan launched the vice-ministerial talks in October 2005 to address bilateral ties and international issues within a larger framework.