South Korea's foreign minister said Thursday concessions to North Korea could be made if the communist state makes clear that its offer to freeze its nuclear program is part of a process leading ultimately to the program's termination.

During a seminar organized by the Kwanhun Club, an association of senior journalists, Minister Ban Ki-moon said if Pyongyang promises the nuclear freeze is a short-term process for the ultimate dismantlement of its nuclear program, Seoul, Washington and Tokyo would be willing to take positive, corresponding measures in phases.

North Korea's nuclear freeze offer is expected to be a key agenda item at the second session of six-way nuclear talks set to open in Beijing on Feb. 25, which will bring together the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

In exchange for the freeze, the North has demanded a series of political and economic concessions, such as energy aid and lifting of sanctions.

Ban said the North's proposal itself falls short of expectations, and reiterated his call on Pyongyang to declare its willingness to dismantle the nuclear program in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Nonetheless, the minister noted that the proposal has some positive elements and that Pyongyang's series of similar statements "suggest a subtle change in the North's position."