The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to hold working-level talks later this week to upgrade the inter-Korean direct communication lines across the border, Seoul's unification ministry said Wednesday.

The talks would be held Friday at the two countries' joint liaison office in Kaesong, a city near the DPRK's border.

During the talks, the two sides would focus on replacing the current direct inter-Korean communication lines, made of copper, with optical cables.

The five-member ROK delegation will be led by Chung Chang-min, a director-general-level official with the Ministry of Science and ICT. The DPRK delegation will be represented by Ri Yong Min, a senior official in charge of communications affairs.