The nominee for unification minister says the two Koreas could hold their second summit before the end of this year.

In his parliamentary confirmation hearing Monday, Lee Jong-suk said Seoul will clearly express its stance on the matter if he is appointed minister.

He backed President Roh Moo-hyun's stance that the government is willing to hold an inter-Korean summit regardless of time and place and that the meeting should produce substantial results.

Lee said the final decision will probably come if and when North Korean leader Kim Jong-il agrees to hold the summit.