Rival Koreas to meet again at border on Friday amid spat over US-South Korean military drills

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea says senior officials from the rival Koreas will meet for a second time this week after their first round of talks ended with little progress.

North Korea has been pushing for better ties with Seoul after raising tension last year with repeated threats of nuclear war. Analysts say the impoverished North needs good relations with Seoul to win outside aid. The Koreas plan to hold their first reunions of war-divided families since late 2010 next week.

A key sticking point in talks Wednesday was North Korea’s demand that Seoul delay the start of annual military drills with Washington until the reunions end.

North Korea calls the drills a rehearsal for invasion. Seoul and Washington deny that.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry says North Korea asked for another meeting Friday.