The DPRK has renewed its call for an "early and unconditional" resumption of inter-Korean talks. South Korea says in response it will study the DPRK's proposal to check its intention.

The DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued a statement Saturday, proposing holding talks between the authorities of the North and South as soon as possible. The committee says the date, venue and level of dialogue could be finalized through discussions.

KRT newsreader said, "The DPRK-South Korea relationship should improve and be solved in reconciliation and unity with dialogue. There is neither conditionality in our proposal nor need to cast any doubt about its real intention. The South Korean authorities should discard any unnecessary misgiving, and positively respond to the proposal."

The DPRK also proposes to restart talks on tourism, the jointly-run industrial zone and Red Cross-related issues within a month.

The proposal gives detailed measures to show good faith. They include reopening the Panmunjom North-South Red Cross passage and normalizing the operation of the inter-Korean economic cooperation office at the Kaesong Industrial Park.

The newsreader said, "The suspended Red Cross talks, talks for the resumption of the tour of Mount Kumgang and the talks for Kaesong Industrial Zone should be restarted at an early date. We propose that Kaesong be the talks venue and they take place at the end of January or in the first half of February."

South Korea's Unification Ministry says Pyongyang's latest statement is similar to a message released last Wednesday, but contains more details. The Ministry had said the earlier offer lacked sincerity. But after Saturday's proposal, it says Seoul will keep a close eye on the DPRK's future attitude, and will further study the proposals.

But the Ministry also pointed out that the South Korean government does not consider it as an official proposal since DPRK just put forward it through the media.

Local media says the Ministry held a two-hour emergency meeting earlier Saturday to discuss Pyongyang's intention behind its series of peace overtures.

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