A U.S. daily says the state funeral for late former President Kim Dae-jung has opened a new chapter for inter-Korean reconciliation.

The Christian Science Monitor says in its online edition that the death of the former president may facilitate reconciliation between the two Koreas, noting a six-member North Korean condolence delegation’s visit to Seoul.

In addition to its original mission to mourn the death of Kim, the North Korean delegates had a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday.

The North Koreans relayed to the president a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-il that conveyed his will to improve inter-Korean relations.

The U.S. newspaper said there was even speculation that the North Korean leader might have invited the South Korean president to a summit in Pyongyang.

The paper added that the makeup of the U.S. delegation to Kim’s funeral also indicated Washington's support for the former South Korean president’s “Sunshine” engagement policy toward the North.

The U.S. delegation was led by former State Secretary Madeleine Albright and included U.S. special envoy on North Korea policy Stephen Bosworth.

The ex-South Korean president sought enhanced inter-Korean ties and held a historic summit with the North Korean leader in 2002.