Two Koreas to launch talks amid tensions over rice aid

North and South Korea were to launch a new round of reconciliation talks Tuesday, with Pyongyang expected to protest at Seoul's decision to link crucial rice aid to nuclear disarmament. While the South wants to build on a historic May 17 reopening of cross-border railways to push for more cooperation, the North has signalled its unhappiness over the rice issue.

"The pledge to adjust the timing and pace of rice aid to the implementing of the February 13 (nuclear) accord has created a stumbling block to mutual assistance..." said Choson Sinbo, a newspaper published by pro-Pyongyang ethnic Korean residents in Japan.

The newspaper, whose comments appeared on its website Monday, normally reflects the communist state's official thinking.