SEOUL — South Korea wants to meet with North Korea next week about possible joint research of a dormant volcano in North Korea, according to the Unification Ministry.

North Korea proposed last week that the two countries study possible volcanic activity on Mount Paektu, the tallest mountain on the peninsula. Paektu is located near the North’s border with China.

In response, the South said that a meeting of experts should be held March 29 at Munsan, a city inside South Korea near the Demilitarized Zone, to discuss possible symposiums, joint research and surveys of Paektu. Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-ju said only civilian experts would attend next week’s meeting.

The North had not responded to the South’s proposal as of Tuesday evening.

The volcano last erupted in 1903, according to Yonhap News.

Lee said the meeting was not prompted by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and another ministry spokesperson said the two Koreas want to determine when the volcano will erupt again.

From staff reports

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