The Unification Ministry pledged to prepare for stable inter-Korean communication, after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced plans to restore cross-border channels in early October.

An official from the ministry made the pledge on Thursday, when asked about Seoul's position in response to Kim's policy speech at a session of the North's rubber-stamp legislature.

The official said once the channels are restored, Seoul plans to first bring up its earlier proposal to establish a system for virtual meetings, then exchange views on agenda items.

The channels had only been reopened for about two weeks when North Korea suspended communication on August 10, as Seoul and Washington began their annual summer military exercises. 

Prior to that, the lines had been shut down for over a year as North Korea protested anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent over attached to balloons by civic groups from South Korea.

Regarding Kim's call for Seoul to stop double-dealing and withdraw hostility, the official said the government will respond prudently based on a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the situation.