Unification Minister Chung Dong-young says the government will help resolve the rising feud between North Korea and the Hyundai Group over the Mount Geumgang tour.

At the 16th inter-Korean ministerial talks in Pyongyang, Chung told reporters Wednesday that Seoul will intervene given its sacrifices, support and tax money expended to keep the tour alive.

But he said Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun's position on the matter leaves little room for arbitration. In a statement Monday, she said the group is sticking to its dismissal of long-time North Korea liaison Kim Yoon-kyu, who was in charge of the tour.

Chung also urged the North to agree on a joint statement in the six-party nuclear talks, saying the talks are crucial to resolving the North's nuclear standoff.

An official said Seoul will use the ministerial talks as a channel to help resolve the nuclear issue in the six-party talks in Beijing.

In the meeting's first plenary session, the South brought up ten major issues to the North such as joint training of economic personnel, resuming military talks and exchanging permanent liaison offices.

Seoul also sought to discuss the fates and whereabouts of South Korean prisoners of war and abductees.