The two Koreas are holding a working-level meeting Thursday in North Korea’s city of Gaesong to organize the 20th inter-Korean ministerial meeting.

In sending off the South Korean delegation, Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong said Thursday that he hopes the working-level talks will contribute to improving South-North ties and to ultimately establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Lee said the recent deal struck at the six-way nuclear talks this week was a significant step in the process of realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

He said the government hopes to reap progress at the working-level meeting on the North’s nuclear issue and Seoul’s policies for peace and prosperity. The meeting comes now about seven months after the two Koreas last held discussions.

Asked about whether Seoul will resume the provision of rice and fertilizer to the North, Lee said he cannot say anything until Cabinet-level talks are held, adding that if inter-Korean ties get back on track, the resumption of aid could be discussed.

The 20th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks is expected to open as early as the end of this month in Pyongyang.