Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung says that if North Korea asks the South Korean summit delegation to attend the Arirang Festival during their visit to Pyongyang in early October, Seoul will consider the proposal.

Minister Lee spoke with reporters after the first advance preparatory team for the inter-Korean summit left Tuesday for Pyongyang.

He said the government would review such a request, which hasn't been officially made yet, as the festival is an important performance event in North Korea.

Regarding what sites the South Korean summit delegation should visit while in the North Korean capital, Lee said that Pyongyang was given a list of preferred locations and the prep team will decide after their field inspections.

Also, with regard to the delay of the six-party nuclear talks, the unification minister said that it wouldn't have much effect on the inter-Korean summit.