The government on Thursday proposed to North Korea that the two sides meet in Gaesong next Monday to discuss preparations for the upcoming inter-Korean summit.

Vice Unification Minister Lee Kwan-se and two other officials will represent the South in the working-level contact.

Earlier in the day, Seoul held the first meeting of its summit preparatory task force consisting of senior officials from various ministries.

The task force will meet every Tuesday and Thursday to review the agenda and procedures for the summit.