A government official says Seoul has conveyed to Pyongyang former president Kim Dae-jung's wish to visit North Korea.

The unification ministry official said talks with the North are underway and discussions with Kim on the agenda and other details of the visit will begin once Pyongyang delivers a response.

He said Seoul hopes the visit will materialize and pledged government support.

In a recent interview with domestic daily Segye Ilbo, Kim said planning and preparation have started since January and that he hopes to visit Pyongyang in mid- or late April.

As the architect of the "sunshine" policy of engaging North Korea, Kim held a historic summit with the North's leader Kim Jong-il in the North in 2000.