The South Korean government has proposed to North Korea that working-level inter-Korean talks be held on pest control at ancient tombs located in the North, a source said Wednesday.

The complex of Goguryeo tombs, located in Pyongyang and Nampo in North Korea, has some 30 individual tombs from the late period of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.―668 A.D.), which ruled the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and northeastern China.

The government source said on condition of anonymity that the South Korean authorities have contacted the North’s land and environmental protection office under the name of the Office of Forestry, through a Red Cross channel on Tuesday.

The source said the South suggested that authorities meet in late February but Seoul has not received an official response from the North.

The government is considering tapping the South-North Cooperation Fund to provide pesticides or related equipment to help Pyongyang control harmful insects on pine trees surrounding the tombs, the source said.

From last year, Pyongyang has been calling for Seoul’s support for pesticides through civilian groups including the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation.

The South had supported 1.8 billion won worth of pesticides for insect control in the 52,000-hectare forestry of Pyongyang in 2007.

The South Korean government’s proposal is deemed a move to find a breakthrough in resuming inter-Korean talks, observers said.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)