Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae has expressed hope that the two Koreas hold government-level talks in the near future without being bound by formalities. 
 
Ryoo made the remark in a briefing Thursday in response to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's New Year’s message in which he said there is no reason not to hold the "highest-level dialogue" between the two Koreas.

The unification minister said Seoul believes it is meaningful that the North Korean leader showed an advanced attitude on inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges.
 
Ryoo said he believes the two Koreas need to hold extensive and sincere talks on all matters of mutual interest, including the “highest-level dialogue” mentioned by Kim and the issue of separated families, which he described as the biggest tragedy resulting from 70 years of division on the Korean Peninsula.
 
In a nationally-televised New Year's Day speech, the North Korean leader responded to Seoul's Tuesday proposal for talks, saying there needs to be a "great turning point" in the inter-Korean relations. Kim also said Pyongyang can resume stalled high-level cross-border talks if the South is willing to improve ties through dialogue.