The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is willing to dismantle its nuclear-capable long- range missiles if the United States establishes diplomatic ties with it, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said on Monday.

"North Korean (DPRK) leader Kim clearly told me that the North is ready to scrap all of its long-range missiles, as soon as bilateral diplomatic relations are established (with the US)," Chung was quoted by South Korean Yonhap News Agency as saying in a cabinet meeting presided over by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.

Chung held a meeting with the DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il last Friday in Pyongyang on various issues.

Chung quoted Kim on that day as saying that "The DPRK is willing to return to six-party nuclear talks as early as in July, if the US recognizes and respects" Pyongyang.

The recent nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula emerged in October 2002. In order to peacefully solve the issue, China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan have convened three rounds of six-party talks in Beijing.

However, the fourth round of the talks failed to be convened as the DPRK refused to participate, citing hostile US policy.

Source: Xinhua