国内英语新闻:S. Korea hopes for inter-governmental dialogue with DPRK in near future

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said on Thursday that Seoul hopes to hold an inter- governmental dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the near future.

Ryoo made the remarks through a three-sentence statement unveiled after top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year's address that "there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks (with South Korea)."

It was the first time since Kim took power in December 2011 that the top DPRK leader commented on the inter-Korean summit. Kim said stalled high-level contacts can be resumed and other talks can be held issue by issue "if the atmosphere and environment is created."

Ryoo said that the South Korean government accepted Kim's advanced attitude toward inter-Korean dialogue and exchange as " meaningful."

The minister stressed the need for inter-governmental talks between the two Koreas "irrespective of dialogue form" to be held in the near future to effectively and frankly discuss all issues of mutual concern, including the highest-level talks the DPRK proposed and the issue on reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

Ryoo on Monday offered to hold high-level talks with the DPRK in January. The latest round of senior-level contact was held in February 2014 and led to the reunion of separated families.