North Korea has proposed that the two Koreas hold working-level defense talks earlier than February eleventh, which is the date proposed by South Korea.

A Seoul official says that the North Korean military made the proposal via a telephone message to Seoul's Defense Ministry over the weekend.

The ministry official says South Korea will respond soon.

Earlier in January, North Korea proposed that the two sides hold working-level talks before the end of the month and a high-level military meeting in early February. But Seoul suggested that working-level talks be held February eleventh.

A military official in South Korea says Seoul will most likely adhere to its plans to hold the working-level talks next Friday.