Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has pledged the government's continuous efforts towards bringing about substantial progress on North Korea's nuclear issue this year.

In his New Year's message, Chung said that inter-Korean relations should be normalized as soon as possible, expressing his hope that the North would make a positive response in the matter of reopening high-level dialogue between the two Koreas.

In particular, the Minister pledged to shore up plans to help rebuild the North's economy in a bid to further promote inter-Korean economic cooperation this year.

Chung also said the government would actively support private cross-border exchanges such as the joint holding of inter-Korean events.