SEOUL — The United Nations Command will hold colonel-level talks with North Korea at Panmunjom beginning Tuesday morning to prepare for later general-level talks about the sinking of a South Korean ship, according to the U.N. Command.

North Korea has until now rejected the command’s June 26 proposal to meet, according to the UNC. A South Korean investigation found that a North Korean torpedo sank the Cheonan as it patrolled waters near the disputed maritime border between the two countries on March 26, killing 46 crew members. North Korea has strongly denied its involvement and threatened military action over the issue.

North Korea agreed to the meeting on Friday, the same day the United Nations Security Council passed a statement that condemned the attack but did not blame North Korea.

From staff reports