The leader of the main opposition party called on President Park Geun-hye Friday to focus her efforts on improving inter-Korean relations this year as both sides expressed willingness for talks.

On Monday, Seoul proposed that the two Koreas hold ministerial talks this month to discuss bilateral issues, such as reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

In a New Year's address on Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for a "big shift" in inter-Korean relations, saying he is willing to hold summit talks under the right conditions, which would include a halt to the South's annual military drills with the United States.

"(Kim Jong-un) suggested the possibility of an inter-Korean summit, and this opportunity must not be lost," Moon Hee-sang, the interim chief of the No. 1 opposition party, New Politics Alliance for Democracy, told Yonhap News Agency by phone.

"Emphasis should be placed on improving South-North relations in the running of state affairs," he said.

Moon also urged Park to display leadership and solve the country's problems by embracing the neglected, the poor and the mistreated.

"I hope she becomes a president of grand national unity, which she promised to the people," he said.

Park is scheduled to hold a New Year's meeting with leaders of the ruling and main opposition parties at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae later in the day. (Yonhap)