Ahead of North Korea's rare ruling party congress expected to take place this month, South Korea's minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs expressed hope that Pyongyang would send Seoul a positive message seeking dialogue and cooperation.

In his New Year's speech held virtually on Monday, Unification Minister Lee In-young said should the two Koreas start off on the right foot regarding cross-border cooperation in the first half of the new year, the peace process could get back on track in the second half.

The minister also pledged to coordinate policies with the incoming Joe Biden administration in the United States.

This comes as diplomacy surrounding Pyongyang's denuclearization has been at a standstill since the second summit between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. broke down without a deal in February 2019.

Looking ahead in the post-coronavirus era, the minister called on his ministry to establish "new normal" values for peace, economy, life and safety in inter-Korean relations, and consider further systemizing cross-border ties.