金正恩称愿与韩国举行高层会谈

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he is open to expanding "dialogue and cooperation" with the country's rival, South Korea.

During a traditional New Year's Day speech, Mr. Kim said he would consider resuming "stalled high-level meetings" with Seoul.

It is not clear at what level the talks proposed by Mr. Kim would take place.

The proposal comes after South Korea this week offered to hold high-level meetings with North Korea in January.

Seoul's Unification Ministry on Thursday welcomed Mr. Kim's comments, saying if he is "sincere" then he would accept the South's offer of talks.

The last high-profile inter-Korean meeting occurred in February. The two Koreas agreed in October to restart the dialogue, but did not follow through.

The talks traditionally have covered areas of cooperation, such as resuming reunions between families separated by the 1950s Korean War.