North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for improved relations with South Korea, saying he is open to candid talks with Seoul on unification.
In his New Year's message delivered live on television Friday, Kim called on Seoul to honor an inter-Korean deal reached in August to defuse military tension.
"We are willing to have talks in an open-minded manner with anyone who wants peace and unification," Kim said. "South Korea should honor the spirit of the inter-Korean agreement in August. Seoul should refrain from doing acts that hurt the conciliatory mood."
The two Koreas reached a rare deal on Aug. 25 to ease military tension following a land mine blast near the border blamed on North Korea.
The two sides held high-level talks over how to mend ties last month as part of such a deal, but they ended the meeting without agreement, dimming the outlook for ties.
Kim did not mention North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
For the fourth straight year, the North's leader delivered a verbal message on the first day of the new year.
South Korea and others closely monitor the message because it offers clues to the North's annual policy goals.
Earlier this week, Kim Yang-gon, the leader's key aide who handled inter-Korean affairs, died in a car accident, which analysts said could cast a cloud over Seoul-Pyongyang ties.
The Workers' Party of Korea, the North's ruling party, plans to hold its first congress in more than three decades in May, when Kim may unveil new policies and conduct a major reshuffle.
Kim stressed the congress' importance, calling for thorough preparation for the event.
Responding to the speech, the South Korean government said that it is open to dialogue between the two Koreas, adding it also hopes for a peaceful reunification, Yonhap reported.
In his New Year's message delivered live on television Friday, Kim called on Seoul to honor an inter-Korean deal reached in August to defuse military tension.
"We are willing to have talks in an open-minded manner with anyone who wants peace and unification," Kim said. "South Korea should honor the spirit of the inter-Korean agreement in August. Seoul should refrain from doing acts that hurt the conciliatory mood."
The two Koreas reached a rare deal on Aug. 25 to ease military tension following a land mine blast near the border blamed on North Korea.
The two sides held high-level talks over how to mend ties last month as part of such a deal, but they ended the meeting without agreement, dimming the outlook for ties.
Kim did not mention North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
For the fourth straight year, the North's leader delivered a verbal message on the first day of the new year.
South Korea and others closely monitor the message because it offers clues to the North's annual policy goals.
Earlier this week, Kim Yang-gon, the leader's key aide who handled inter-Korean affairs, died in a car accident, which analysts said could cast a cloud over Seoul-Pyongyang ties.
The Workers' Party of Korea, the North's ruling party, plans to hold its first congress in more than three decades in May, when Kim may unveil new policies and conduct a major reshuffle.
Kim stressed the congress' importance, calling for thorough preparation for the event.
Responding to the speech, the South Korean government said that it is open to dialogue between the two Koreas, adding it also hopes for a peaceful reunification, Yonhap reported.
