The government has made an official proposal to North Korea to hold an inter-Korean ministrial meeting in Seoul on June 12th.

Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said in a briefing on Thursday evening that Seoul proposes to Pyeongyang a meeting to discuss pending issues between the two Koreas including the reopening of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, the resumption of Mount Geumgang tours and separated families.

He urged North Korea to re-establish the communication channels including the one through the truce village of Panmunjeom in order to plan working-level details of the ministerial meeting.

The minister said that the North’s acceptance of dialogue is a positive development and that Seoul hopes the meeting will serve as a momentum to improve the inter-Korean relations on the foundation of mutual trust.

The minister's remarks followed the North's proposal for working-level government talks between Seoul and Pyongyang through a statement by the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland of Korea earlier Thursday. Shortly after the North’s statement, the South Korean government expressed a positive view on the proposal of talks, adding that it will announce the date and details of the agenda later.