Anchor: South Korean Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik will leave for China Monday. The former ambassador to China will discuss inter-Korean relations with senior government officials there.
KBS World Radio's Kim In-kyung reports.

Report: The Unification Ministry announced on Friday that Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik will be taking a three-day trip to China from Monday aimed at furthering China's understanding of inter-Korean affairs and strengthening the two nations' strategic partnership.

Yu plans to meet State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi among others. Unification Ministry vice spokeswoman Park Soo-jin said Yu will explain the South Korean government's position on nuclear non-proliferation and ask for the understanding and cooperation of China.

South-North relations have been strained since early last year, but Minister Yu is expected to try to build a channel of dialogue with North Korea by meeting Chinese officials that have influence over the North. State Councilor Dai is known to maintain a close relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

At the same time, however, Minister Yu is expected to seek China's help in demanding North Korea assume responsibility and take measures regarding its actions that killed South Koreans. The South Korean government blames Pyongyang for the March 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors. In November of last year, North Korea shelled the border island of Yeonpyeong, killing two marines and two civilians.

Minister Yu, who took office in September, replaced hardliner Hyun In-taek and has pledged to be flexible in dealing with North Korea in a push to improve ties.

Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.