Two Koreas reopen maritime communications

For the first time in 10 years vessels from North and South Korea have made radio contact, South Korea says.

North and South Korea have reopened a maritime communication channel with vessels from the two countries making radio contact for the first time in a decade, South Korea's Defence Ministry says.

A North Korean patrol boat responded immediately when the South Korean Navy contacted it via an international radio channel at 9am om Sunday in the western sea, normalising the maritime communication channel for the first time in 10 years, according to the ministry.

The move showed the two Koreas were "taking practical steps" to uphold agreements made on April 27 when their leaders decided to defuse military tensions in a gradual manner, an official from the ministry said.