Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan says South Korea is discussing holding an inter-Korean summit with other parties to the six-way talks. Yu said collaboration with neighboring countries is integral to setting up such a meeting.

Yu said on a cable news program Wednesday that South Korea welcomes summit talks between the two Koreas as long as they stay true to principles and help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Yu added that a peace treaty being sought by Pyeongyang should center on South and North Korea, which are still technically at war, and not China and the U.S.

Yu urged North Korea to return to the six-party talks, citing that progress made within the framework would help lift sanctions and would provide North Korea with the security assurance and economic aid it wants.

On the issue of the Japanese emperor visiting Korea, Yu said that although there have not been any concrete discussions on the matter, Seoul is ready to respond proactively once Japan makes a decision.