Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has stressed the need to convene an inter-Korean summit, asserting that a previous promise to hold summit talks is still valid.

In a special year-end interview with the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency Wednesday, Chung said that, given the characteristics of the Pyongyang regime, direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il would play a key role in addressing critical issues. The Seoul official additionally called for dialogue and determination from the leaders of the two Koreas.

The minister also said he had floated the idea of a second inter-Korean summit during a one-on-one meeting with Kim in Pyongyang on June 17th. He pointed out that the offer had been agreed upon and that the promise to convene talks still holds.

Chung committed himself to exerting further efforts to realize the talks, adding that the year 2006 would be a significant one for promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.