Unification Minister Chung Dong-young convened a National Security Council meeting Saturday to discuss follow-up measures after his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The council meeting reviewed major points discussed in the meeting between Chung and Kim. The officials reportedly talked about preparations for the ministerial talks scheduled for next week.

Regarding Kim’s willingness to return to the six-way talks, they also exchanged opinions on the needed follow-up process with the countries involved in the six-way talks.

Meanwhile, the Unification Ministry is busy preparing for the scheduled minister-level talks between the South and North. The Unification Ministry held a meeting Saturday to check detailed preparations for the talks scheduled for Tuesday.

A ministry official said the agenda for the meeting is not yet fixed, but added that they will try to include new topics in the talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il expressed his willingness to rejoin the six-party nuclear talks in a meeting with Minister Chung on Friday.