(LEAD) Koreas to begin joint survey on roads next week

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, first 3 paras with government explanation)

SEOUL, Aug. 10 (Yonhap) -- The two Koreas have agreed to start a joint survey of cross-border roads next week as part of efforts to modernize and reconnect them across their borders, the unification ministry said Friday.

The decision came after it was known that the North called off a planned on-site inspection set to start Friday late last night without providing a reason.

"In accordance with an agreement, the two will start the joint survey Monday next week," Lee Eugene, a deputy ministry spokesperson, told reporters during a regular briefing.

The inspection was supposed to be carried out from Friday until next Friday on the North Korean section of the road running from the border town of Kaesong to Pyongyang.

The survey was in line with the agreement reached by the two Koreas in June to work together in modernizing and eventually connecting roads across their western and eastern borders.

Under the agreement, they promised to work together in examining the conditions of those roads from Friday to Aug. 30.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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