Foreign Minister Song Min-soon has said that talks on a permanent peace regime for the Korean Peninsula could begin this year if North Korea's nuclear disablement picks up speed.

Lawmaker Choi Sung of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) said Song made the remarks in a policy consultation meeting between the government and the UNDP.

Song said such a process would begin with the start of peace negotiations and end with a lasting peace regime on the peninsula.

The minister said that while attending the United Nations General Assembly later this month, he will ask countries concerned on timing the launch of such peace talks.