Foreign Minister Song Min-soon says he views the joint New Year editorial carried in major North Korean newspapers as a positive sign.

In a New Year's ceremony Wednesday, Song said the North's call for independent national reunification and peace reflects its hope for continued improvement in inter-Korean relations under the new South Korean administration.

He said it is necessary for the two Koreas to make joint efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

He added that based on such efforts, the two Koreas will be able to continue reconciliation and cooperation.