North and South Korea will hold talks this week on preventing flooding along their common border and on family reunions, despite signs that North Korea will test more missiles. The news comes a day after the North fired five short-range KN-02 surface-to-surface test missiles 12 October. The government in Seoul condemned the launches, saying they violated several UN Security Council resolutions.

North Korea agreed last week to resume six-party talks to resolve the question of the North’s illegal nuclear programme if Washington DC agrees to bilateral talks first.

The need for talks between the two Koreas became more urgent after North Korea opened a dam 6 September and released millions of tonnes of water which swept away six people south of the border. BBC, Romandie News