Officials of South Korea and the United States will resume talks in Washington Dec. 20 on how to conclude the fact-finding results into the alleged massacre of Korea civilians by U.S. troops half a century ago.

During the talks, Seoul? delegation, led by Kim Byong-ho, general coordinator of the Prime Minister? Office, will consult with the U.S. delegation comprised of officials from the Department of Defense and White House on how to describe their investigation results in a joint statement and handle compensation for the victims of the tragic incident.

Investigators from Seoul and Washington separately conducted year-long probes into the alleged killings, which took place at the hamlet of Nogun-ri, Chungchong-bukto, a month after the Korean War (l950-53) broke out.

The two nations delegates, however, are expected to meet many snags in announcing the final conclusion on the Nogun-ri incident as the two sides still have many differences over key issues of the alleged massacre.

Earlier this month, Korea n and U.S. officials failed to conclude their talks on probes into the incident and agreed to resolve the sticky issue before President Bill Clinton? tenure expires in January.

During the talks held on Dec. 6-7 in Seoul, the two delegations confirmed that they had significant differences over some key issues, including whether American soldiers were ordered to open fire on unarmed Korean refugees.

According to recent US. news reports, U.S. Army investigators concluded that panicked soldiers shot civilians at Nogun-ri, but did not find conclusive evidence that they had premeditated orders to do so.

The two sides are also at odds over the number of those killed, wounded and missing as sell as the strafing of refugee columns by U.S. Air Force jets.

Another key issue is how the United States will apologize for the incident and compensate victims.