Top opposition leader Kim Han-gil on Wednesday proposed a preparatory committee for inter-Korean reunification, saying the two Koreas should reunite through a peaceful and gradual means.

Kim of the main opposition Democratic Party made the proposal in a speech marking the beginning of this month's extra parliamentary session, stressing the importance of consistent policy and approach to reunification.

He especially expressed reservations about President Park Geun-hye's analogy of reunification as a "jackpot," claiming it painted too rosy a picture of reunification and gave the false impression that it could happen anytime.

"For reunification, the process is very important," Kim said in his address to the National Assembly. "Without consistent cooperation for reconciliation and efforts and steps to improve ties, the 'reunification is a jackpot theory' can easily be misunderstood as an impending sudden change."

Kim stressed that his party is against reunification by absorption due to the enormous costs and confusion it would bring to society.

Consistent policy for reunification that transcends changes in government is key to achieving peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula, and the appropriate forum to create that would be a preparation committee for the post-reunification era comprised of members of the government, civil society and rival political parties, he said.

"The committee would prepare reunification policy that unites the people and stems from public consensus and communication with the public," Kim said. (Yonhap News)