The two Koreas may hold their 22nd round of general-level talks as early as the beginning of next month.

A Unification Ministry official said Thursday that Seoul proposed holding the talks in early August in a telephone message to the North early this month.

The official said Seoul stressed holding the high-level talks at an early date, in line with the recent progress in the North’s nuclear dismantlement efforts.

South and North Korea failed to agree in May on a schedule for a new round of general-level talks during their 21st round of meetings held in Seoul.

If the North accepts Seoul’s request, the inter-Korean general-level talks will likely be held some time after August sixth in Pyongyang.