S.Korea willing to discuss issues of concern with DPRK without precondition

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's Unification Minster Cho Myoung-gyon said Friday that Seoul was willing to discuss the issues of concern with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) without precondition.

Cho told a meeting with local reporters that if South Korea can talk with the DPRK side, it was willing to frankly discuss several issues of concern to Pyongyang without any precondition.

He did not elaborate on what issues could be on the possible dialogue table, according to local media reports.

South Korea will try to take several opportunities, including the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, in a more active manner to encourage the DPRK to come to a dialogue table.

Seoul has asked Pyongyang to participate in the South Korea-hosted winter sports event scheduled to begin in February at PyeongChang in the country's eastern region.

South Korea made dialogue overtures in July to the DPRK to hold dialogue of military authorities from both sides as well as humanitarian talks about the reunion of separated families. People from the two Koreas have been banned from exchanging letters and having phone calls since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in armistice.

Cho said the DPRK's participation in the PyeongChang winter Olympics would become a good opportunity for itself, anticipating Pyongyang's wise decision. Enditem