South Korea offers talks with North Korea

South Korea's Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said Monday that he has offered to hold a dialogue in January next year with North Korea on issues of mutual concern.

"The Preparatory Committee for Reunification officially proposes to the North Korea on holding talks about issues of mutual concern in January next year," the minister told a surprise press briefing.

Ryoo acts as one of vice chairmen of the committee. South Korean President Park Geun-hye is the committee's chairman.

Ryoo said South Korea has sent a notice for the dialogue offer, expressing hopes that North Korea actively respond to the proposal.