"The Presidential Committee for Unification Preparation officially proposed talks on issues of mutual interest between South and North Korea. We hope to heal the wounds of war-separated families before the Lunar New Year holiday."
South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said the talks would center on the issues discussed by the unification preparatory committee this year and its plans for next year, which marks the 70th year of the division of the Korean peninsula.
Some key plans include expanding people-to-people exchanges through sporting events, such as a soccer match between the two Koreas.
The committee also plans to work towards holding family reunions on a regular basis and allowing for the exchange of letters.
While some doubt a positive response from North Korea, saying the regime was never a fan of President Park's unification preparation committee, others remain hopeful.
"There are members of the committee that have visited the North. They say North Korea's assessment of the unification preparatory committee has not been positive or negative. We hope North Korea accepts our proposal."
Analysts say Pyongyang will want to make some progress with Seoul in time for the 70th year of their division next year and that Kim Jong-un will likely express his willingness to do so in his New Year's speech on January 1st.
Hwang Sung-hee, Arirang News.
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