North Korea and South Korea have moved a step closer to resurrecting the reunification talks which have been in stalemate following the historic summit between the countries' two leaders last year, Miriam Donohoe reports.
A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry confirmed yesterday that North Korean television relayed a message seeking a speedy resumption of talks between government officials.
"The message was addressed to (South Korean) Unification Minister Lim Dong-won and the North said it hoped for a positive response," the spokesman said.
A summit between South Korean President, Mr Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader, Mr Kim Jong-il, in Pyongyang on June 15th, 2000, raised hopes among Koreans for reconciliation after decades of enmity since the 1950-1953 Korean War. But relations are at a standstill, with Mr Kim holding back on his promised return visit to Seoul.
Analysts say this is a result of the US administration's decision to put US-North Korean ties on hold. The Chinese President, Mr Jiang Zemin, starts a three day visit to North Korea today.