North Korea to South: OK, Let's Talk

Some two months after it announced the removal of its workers from the Kaesong Industrial Complex, North Korea is ready to talk things over with the South. Pyongyang suggested new talks this morning, and South Korea says it "positively views" the idea, the BBC reports. Via its official news agency, Pyongyang also proposed discussing "the resumption of the tour of Mt. Kumgang," a joint resort whose operation was halted when a North Korean guard shot a South Korean tourist.

The North also mentioned the possibility of new family reunions between North and South. The North referred in today's proposal to "the June 15 joint declaration," a 2000 summit between the countries' leaders that helped improve relations, Reuters notes; the South has feared Pyongyang might use the occasion for propaganda purposes. (More North Korea stories.)