A presidential office official says international standards must be applied with regard to the stature of chief delegates to the South-North government-level talks set to open on Wednesday in Seoul.

The official made the remark to reporters on Monday following a meeting of foreign affairs and defense-related ministers chaired by President Park Geun-hye. The official said it would be difficult to build mutual trust if the chief delegates to the envisioned talks are not of matching level.

The official noted that the North has always applied international standards when holding talks with U.S. or Chinese officials.

The official said if the North fails to apply such standards when negotiating with the South, no mutual trust will be built.

The remark is viewed as a sign that Seoul wants North Korea to send Kim Yang-gon, the head of the North's United Front Department of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, as the head of the North’s delegation to the government-level talks.

Seoul is known to be considering the appointment of an official below the unification minister as a chief delegate if Pyongyang decides not to send Kim.