A senior South Korean government official said Wednesday that Seoul is not considering sending a special envoy to North Korea.

The official said that while the government is not opposed to some lawmakers' proposals for the special envoy, Seoul is not considering it as an option because Pyongyang has turned down the South's suggestions for talks several times.

The official also noted that if the two Koreas can agree to engage in dialogue, they would be able to reach a compromise over ways to resolve the shooting death of a South Korean tourist at the North's Mount Geumgang resort.

The official added that it is unlikely the North will be able to isolate itself from the South by focusing on improving relations with the United States after a new U.S. president is elected.