Unification Minister Chung Dong-young reportedly proposed South Korean-backed funding for comprehensive energy assistance to the communist North to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during their one-on-one meeting in Pyongyang on June 17th.

According to the Washington Post, a high-ranking U.S. official who had been briefed on the meeting’s outcome said Chung’s proposal was in response to Kim’s expressed willingness to return to the six-way talks in July.

The paper added that the minister was clear about excluding any assistance that could go towards development of nuclear power plants, to the satisfaction of U.S. administration officials.

It is unknown whether such an offer of energy assistance comprised the “important proposal” that Chung reportedly delivered to Kim at the meeting.