Inter-Korean relations are unlikely to remain perpetually tense, a high-level government official said Sunday, signaling that the government is willing to continue efforts to improve ties despite recent troubles caused by the North's disclosure of details of secret talks with the South.

"The door to dialogue remains open," the official told reporters, requesting not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. "Inter-Korean relations are rather tense now but won't remain the same forever," the official said.

"There were always ups and downs, both large and small, in cross-border relations in the past," he said. "We need to honestly grow even minor developments and it is important to make strides even if they are small at this moment," he said.

The official's remarks have been interpreted as an indication that the government is willing to continue efforts to improve relations with Pyongyang even after it recently disclosed information about secret inter-Korean talks, an embarrassment to Seoul.

Tensions between the two Koreas remain high after the North attacked a South Korean Navy ship and bombarded a South Korean island last year, killing 50 people.

In early June, the North claimed Seoul negotiators had "begged"

for three inter-Korean summits and offered an envelope of cash as an inducement, allegations dismissed by Seoul.

South Korea said the meeting was designed to get North Korea to apologize for its two deadly attacks on the South last year as part of Seoul's efforts to break the current impasse and put inter-Korean ties back on track.

The official, however, said there is no sign of change in the North's attitude toward the South.

"The environment is not ripe for dialogue yet," he added. (Yonhap News)