South Korea's defense ministry says it will hold security talks with Japan and the United States next week.

Ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo told reporters on Monday that defense officials from the three countries will meet in Seoul on May 9.

The officials are expected to discuss the best way to deal with North Korea, among other matters.

Choi also suggested that talks may be held between Japanese and South Korean officials on the sidelines of next week's meeting. She said arrangements are underway for bilateral talks.

Japanese and South Korean defense officials have been at odds over certain matters, such as an incident involving military radar targeting last December. Tokyo said a South Korean naval vessel directed fire-control radar at a Japanese patrol plane over the Sea of Japan. Seoul denies this.

Choi also announced that from Wednesday, Seoul will resume allowing tourists to enter the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area, or JSA, at the truce village of Panmunjom that separates North and South Korea.

The two Koreas agreed last year to allow tourists to move freely across the border inside the JSA. But the North Korean side is expected to remain closed, as Pyongyang has hardened its stance in the face of stalled negotiations with the United States.

NHK