韓國提議舉行韓朝部長級會談

A senior South Korean official has offered to hold ministerial-level talks with North Korea to discuss "mutual concerns," including a reunion of families separated by the Korean War.

一名韓國高層官員表示，願與朝鮮舉行部長級會談，討論“共同關心的問題”，包括安排一次韓戰離散家人團聚活動。

Ryo Kihl-jae, the South's unification minister in charge of North Korean affairs, told a news conference Monday that a formal request had been sent to Pyongyang. He said he is willing to discuss any issues of mutual concern.

負責朝鮮事務的韓國統一部部長柳吉在星期一舉行的記者會上說，已將一份正式邀請函遞交平壤。他表示，願意與朝鮮方面討論任何雙方共同關心的問題。

If agreed to, the talks would take place next month in Pyongyang with Ryo's counterpart, Kim Yang Gon.

如果平壤做出肯定的答覆，柳吉在將於下月在平壤與朝鮮負責韓國事務的官員金養建舉行會談。

The two countries had agreed on high-level talks scheduled for two months ago after a surprise visit to Seoul in October by a high-powered delegation from the North. However, North Korea angrily backed out when activists in the South sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border via balloons.

一個朝鮮重量級代表團十月對首爾進行出人意料的訪問，韓朝雙方同意舉行高層會談。但韓國活動人士放飛帶有反平壤傳單的氣球后，朝鮮對此舉表示憤怒，並擱置了會談。