Anchor: Four key government ministers headed out to the the tense maritime border between South and North Korea Saturday as a first step in implementing the Panmunjeom Declaration. Kim Soyon has more.

Report: The Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea has been the site of several naval clashes between South and North Korea over the decades.  But at the recent Panmunjeom summit, the leaders of the two countries resolved to take steps to convert the area in to a maritime peace zone.

That's why the South's ministers of defense, foreign affairs, unification and fisheries boarded a helicopter Saturday to Yeonpyeong Island to begin a day of consultations with residents, fishermen and others who might be affected by the plan.

The NLL ocean area is the most fertile fishing ground for blue crabs in all of South Korea.

The ministers promised local fishermen practical measures to prevent accidental naval clashes between the two Koreas. 

Locals who have been unable to properly conduct fishing activities welcomed the government's move, and asked for concrete measures to allow South and North Korean fishermen to operate in NLL area waters without confrontation.

The ministers also visited the South Korean military's Yeonpyeong Unit and the 6th Marine Brigade to inspect defense readiness and receive briefings.

The Defense Ministry plans to further develop plans for the peace zone and joint fishing area during working-level military talks scheduled with North Korea in coming weeks. 
Kim Soyon, KBS World Radio News. 

[Photo : ]