A scholar says the exchange of liaison offices by Seoul and Pyongyang will establish a dialogue channel preventing the suspension of communication if inter-Korean relations go sour.

Dongguk University professor Goh Yu-hwan on Monday presented his proposal at the symposium "60th Anniversary of Korean Independence: Past and Future of Inter-Korean Relations.”

He called for a joint secretariat in the North's border city of Gaeseong as a preparatory step.

Other scholars at the event estimated that 21 billion dollars will be needed to normalize North Korean industries over the next decade.