National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa has formally proposed talks with his North Korean counterpart.
 
The Speaker made the offer during his Constitution Day speech at the National Assembly on Friday. 
 
[Sound bite: National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa (Korean)]
"If a South-North Assembly Speakers' meeting is realized, it could ease tension on the Korean Peninsula just by holding talks between the heads of parliaments. The parliamentary speakers' meeting could help prime the pump to bring about talks between the two assemblies and the two governments."
 
The South Korean parliamentary chief said the best timing for the talks would be around the August 15 Liberation Day. Chung added he is willing to accept any counteroffer from the North, saying that he can go anywhere at any time.
 
Chung said he and his counterpart, President Kim Yong-nam of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, could discuss a variety of issues including humanitarian concerns such as medical cooperation and nonpolitical cultural projects.