The head of the Korean National Red Cross says President Lee Myung-bak is hoping that the organization will play an active role in re-establishing inter-Korean dialogue.

Korean National Red Cross President Yoo Chong-ha made the statement after visiting the presidential office and speaking with Lee.

According to Yoo, the president expressed his hopes that the Red Cross would be able to make ground in negotiating the resumption of dialogue with the North as ties between the two sides have become increasingly strained.

Yoo said the president is hoping the Red Cross will be successful in its attempts to engage in dialogue with North Korea's Red Cross.

Yoo said the discussion of reunions for separated families is an urgent issue as a dozen members of such families are dying of old age everyday. Yoo stressed the need for the two Koreas to discuss how to get the family reunion center at the North’s Mount Geumgang up and running. Construction for the center was completed last July.