North and South Korea seem willing to break the ice

The first meeting between North and South Korean officials in nearly two years has taken place unexpectedly in the South Korean capital Seoul. A spy chief said to be close to the North's leader Kim Jong met SeoulsUnification Minister Hyun In-taek. Delegates from the North were attending thelying-in-state of the former South Korean President, Kim Dae-jung. The Northrecently conducted nuclear tests, but analysts say it now wants better relationson the peninsula. I am going to raise inter-Korean issues, Mr Hyun toldreporters before starting discussions with his North Korean counterpart KimYang-gon, the official Yonhap news agency reported.The meeting is the first since conservative President Lee Myung-bak came topower in Seoul in February last year. Relations have soured since President Leecut the flow of aid to the North, tying its resumption to nuclear disarmament.Many people hope that these talks may be a signal that North Korea is keen tomend relations with the South after months of rising tension.