Seoul: South Korea has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea and believes Pyongyang will eventually respond to Seoul's efforts to improve relations, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told Yonhap News Agency in an interview published Friday. Cho stated that South Korea's intention to engage in dialogue had been communicated to North Korea through Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who recently visited Pyongyang.

According to Anadolu Agency, Cho mentioned that there are currently no visible signs of North Korea returning to dialogue. However, he emphasized that South Korea has fully conveyed its willingness to engage and expressed optimism that North Korea will eventually respond. Despite the strained inter-Korean relations, with Pyongyang describing relations with Seoul under a 'two hostile states' framework, Cho remains hopeful.

Cho acknowledged that diplomatic engagement remains stalled but noted that the possibility of renewed US-North Korea talks is always open, depending on Washington's approach. On Thursday, Singapore's top diplomat, after visiting North Korea, stated that Pyongyang appears unwilling to engage with either the United States or South Korea, focusing instead on strengthening self-reliance and military deterrence. Balakrishnan also highlighted a significant shift in North Korea's stance, indicating that Pyongyang now categorically rejects the possibility of reunification.