South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek says that North Korea has no reason to refuse a recent proposal by President Lee Myung-bak if it has the will to denuclearize and is sincere about improving inter-Korean relations.

Lee said in Berlin this week that he is willing to invite the reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul next year if Pyongyang makes a firm pledge toward denuclearization.

Hyun also said that Lee’s invitation contains his strong will to resolve inter-Korean issues.

The minister said that normalization of inter-Korean relations is a top priority. He said that North Korea must clearly address the issue of its provocations, saying that the North will gain nothing by refusing to apologize for the sinking of the Cheonan naval vessel and shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.