SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea failed to reach an agreement Friday on a shared fishing zone aimed at averting future clashes, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

    The two sided failed to make breakthrough in the key issue of a joint fishing zone along their disputed western sea border during their three-day military talks at the truce village of Panmumjom, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

    The two sides also failed to issue a joint statement or a press release summarizing the military talks between two-star generals from both sides, the ministry said.

    "The two sides have agreed to continue consultations on the matter in the next general-grade talks, as there are differences over it," the ministry said in a press release.

    According to the ministry, the two sides shared consensus on need for the establishment of a joint fishery zone to allow fishermen from both sides to operate freely in the area and prevent the recurrence of naval skirmishes. But the two sides differed over details including the site of the zone.

    In 1999 and 2002, South Korea and DPRK clashed in the disputed waters and caused dozens of soldiers' death.

    The DPRK has proposed that four circled areas south of the NLL (North Limit Line) be set up as the joint fishery zone. South Korea, however, wants to operate a tiny shared fishing area, which straddles the NLL, on a trial basis, Yonhap said.

    Under a joint declaration adopted by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and DPRK top leader Kim Jong-il in early October, the two sides agreed in principle to set up a joint fishery zone to prevent military conflicts.