High-ranking North Korean functionaries have met Huyn In-Taek, the South Korean Minister for Unification, in the South Korean capital Seoul. It is the first such meeting between the two countries since 2007.

The North Korean delegation visited Seoul following the recent death of former South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung. It was under his leadership that the inter-Korean peace talks began in 2000.

These foundered in recent years, chiefly because North Korea, in conflict with international treaties, developed a nuclear weapons programme and carried out a nuclear test explosion. A few months ago, it also carried out a long range missile test.

The North Korean delegation has now requested a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, so that it can deliver a personal letter from the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. It is not yet known whether the request will be granted.

Map of North and South Korea from Wikimedia Commons