The South Korean president had urged Pyongyang several times since his inauguration to participate in the South Korea-hosted winter Olympics to make the winter sports event an epoch-making opportunity to improve relations between the two Koreas and peacefully resolve the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue.

The unification minister told the press conference that the proposed high-level dialogue would focus on the DPRK's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but he noted that other issues of mutual concern would also be on the dialogue table if the two sides sit face-to-face for the talks.

South Korea's presidential Blue House said Monday that it had already expressed its willingness to engage in talks with the DPRK, regardless of the timing, venue and dialogue format, as long as such talks can restore inter-Korean relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Asked about an advance discussion with the United States, Cho told reporters that Seoul was closely cooperating with the U.S. side on the inter-Korean dialogue.

He said communication channels between the two Koreas in Panmunjom should be restored rapidly to hold the inter-Korean, inter-governmental talks. He suggested to discuss the details on the Jan. 9 dialogue, such as setting agenda and forming delegations of each other, through the restored communication channels.

All of inter-Korean communication channels have been severed since the previous South Korean government under impeached President Park Geun-hye decided unilaterally to close down the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to the DPRK's fourth nuclear test in January 2016.

【国际英语资讯:S.Korea offers high-level talks with DPRK after Kim Jong Uns New Year speech】相关文章：

★ 美防长帕内塔表示支持驻阿美军司令艾伦

★ “财政悬崖”缘何至关重要？

★ 英国不必急着与欧盟告别

★ 美国市政债面临重大评级下调风险

★ 出版商转战电子图书市场

★ 意大利：近百岁夫妇因40年前婚外情闹离婚（双语）

★ 后危机时代IPO市场大幅萎缩

★ 分析：沃尔沃努力提振在华销量

★ 丑闻频出促使金融业加强监管

★ 阿联酋重金奖励夺奥运奖牌运动员