A government official says Seoul may invite North Korea to observe lower level meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum next year when South Korea will chair the international economic meeting.

AFP quoted the official as saying Sunday that "North Korea cannot participate or observe high level APEC meetings because they don't have member status or observer status."

However, he was quick to add that North Korea might be able to observe lower-level meetings, or working groups' and experts' meetings.

The official also said Seoul would use its position as APEC chairman to pressure Pyongyang to accept a peaceful resolution to the Korean nuclear crisis.

South Korea will take over the chairmanship of APEC next year, hosting a series of meetings and discussions covering broad sectors in the run-up to an APEC summit in the southern port city Busan at the end of the year.