Military officers from North and South Korea are holding their first talks since the North’s deadly artillery attack on a South Korean island. The two Koreas began their meeting today at the truce village of Panmunjom on their common border. The talks are expected to clear the way for a meeting of higher-level officials. South Korea has said it will not agree to a higher-level meeting unless North Korea apologizes and takes responsible measures for the November 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.

Seoul also wants Pyongyang to acknowledge the responsibility for sinking the South Korean warship Cheonan, which killed 46 crew members last March. An international investigation concluded that the ship was sunk by a North Korean torpedo. Pyongyang has vehemently denied any involvement. The United States says Pyongyang must mend its ties with South Korea before the long-delayed talks can resume.