S. Korea open to talks with Kim Jong Un

SEOUL, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan says he is open to holding talks with North Korea's new leader Kim Jong Un at an upcoming nuclear summit.

The March summit in Seoul is expected to draw together more than 50 heads of state and representatives of international organizations to discuss measures to prevent nuclear terrorism, the Korea Herald reported Thursday. "At this moment, it is unclear whether he (Kim Jong Un) is engaging with other areas, excluding the military. So, we need to wait and see," Kim said.

Kim Jong Un, believed to be in his 20s, took control of North Korea's military following the death of his father Kim Jong Il on Dec. 17.

Six-party nuclear talks between North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan have been stalled since late 2008, but Seoul is hopeful there will be a change in attitude in Pyongyang to resume the multilateral talks, a ministry official told the Korea Herald.