Unification Minister Chung Dong-young says that he explained his "important proposal" to the United States after it was made to North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il.

Speaking to the parliamentary committee on unification, foreign affairs and trade, Chung on Monday was responding to a question on whether Seoul and Washington discussed the proposal beforehand.

He said he did not tell Washington of the proposal before directly offering it to Kim because it gained significance only after Pyongyang accepted it.

Chung also declined to reveal the proposal's content to parliament, but promised to do so when the six-party talks resume.

He said the proposal was intended to make a breakthrough in the North's nuclear issue without further delay.