North Korea has proposed holding inter-Korean discussions on a joint research project for Mount Baekdu, which is a dormant volcano on the border between North Korea and China.

The government said Friday that the North made the proposal in a telephone message sent to South Korea’s meteorological administration on Thursday under the name of the head of the North’s earthquake agency.

In the letter, the North said it hopes to hold consultations with the South on carrying out a joint study of the volcano and pursuing cooperative projects, including conducting on-site inspections and holding academic seminars.

The government said it will review the North’s proposal based on the belief that inter-Korean cooperation is needed on the issue.

Earlier this month, the weather agency announced that it will monitor the volcano using satellite imagery and a sonar observatory as part of efforts to prepare for a potential volcanic eruption.

In December 2007, the two Koreas agreed during talks in Gaeseong on health and welfare issues as well as cooperation on environmental matters related to the volcanic activity of Baekdu.