South, North Korea talks called off after row over delegates

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes a speech at the national meeting of light industrial workers in Pyongyang March 18, 2013 in this picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency on March 19, 2013. REUTERS/KCNA

SEOUL (Reuters) - Planned high-level talks between South and North Korean after a six-year hiatus and threats of war were scrapped on Tuesday, South Korean government officials said, over a seemingly minor disagreement over the diplomatic ranks of chief delegates.

The talks were due to be held on Wednesday. North Korea's earlier offer to hold them came as a surprise after weeks of threats to attack the South and the United States in March and April.