Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul speaks during a press briefing at the Seoul Government Complex, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said Friday the government has officially sent a message to North Korea about holding another inter-Korean summit before U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit, here, at the end of this month.

"Holding another inter-Korean summit within this month is still possible. The government officially asked North Korea to review the South's proposal about holding a fourth encounter between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before Trump's June visit, here," Minister Kim said at the start of a forum held in the National Assembly. "If another inter-Korean summit happens before Trump's in-person meeting with President Moon, then that would be a huge plus in terms of gaining new momentum for a possible third U.S.-North Korea summit."

The minister added South Korean officials are communicating with their North Korean counterparts to plan another meeting between the leaders of the Koreas, diligently, directly, indirectly, officially and unofficially.