Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Sunday that South and North Korea should work actively together to create the right conditions for a meeting between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Lee made the remark during lunch with a high-level North Korean delegation, including the North Korean leader's sister and special envoy, Kim Yo-jong, and the country's ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam. He was referring to the North Korean leader's invitation for Moon to visit the North.

The invitation was delivered to Moon when the North's delegation paid a visit to him on Saturday. Moon said in response to the invitation that he hopes that the right conditions will be created so that the proposed visit will be realized.


The response was seen as meaning that there should first be progress on efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff, such as talks between the United Sates and the North, before what would be a third inter-Korean summit takes place.

During Saturday's meeting, Moon also called for the North to step forward to engage in talks with the US

Lee echoed Moon's remarks on Sunday.

"State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un invited President Moon Jae-in to visit the North through a personal letter delivered by special envoy Kim Yo-jong," Lee said during Sunday's lunch, according to a text of his remarks provided by his office.

"I hope the right conditions will be created so that the leaders of the South and the North will hold a meeting," he said. "The South and the North should make active efforts to create the right conditions. I hope the international community will also provide support."

Lee also said that inter-Korean talks should continue after the Olympics.

Kim Yong-nam responded to the prime minister's remarks by saying, "I am sure that the two Koreas' relations will improve going forward, and the date of reunification will be advanced," the premier's office said, citing the North Korean official.

"I cordially propose a toast to you hoping that we make concerted efforts to advance the date of reunification," Kim was quoted as saying.

Sunday's lunch took place at the Walker Hill hotel in eastern Seoul. The delegation has been in the country since arriving Friday to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The delegation is expected to head back to the North later Sunday.

At the start of the meeting, Lee shook hands with the North's chief delegate and then with Kim Yo-jong, as well as other members of the delegation. The rest of the meeting was closed to the press, and further details were to be made available at a briefing later in the day.(Yonhap)