South Korea's Unification Minister Hyun In-taek reiterated Wednesday that Seoul and Pyongyang should discuss nuclear issues, a major obstacle for inter-Korean cooperation, local media reported.

"North Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issues make our future unstable," Hyun was quoted as telling a forum at parliament by Yonhap News Agency.

"The South and the North should have an open-hearted dialogue on the nuclear issues,"he said.

His reiteration comes at a time when the relations between the two sides, strained after Seoul's conservative-leaning President Lee Myung-bak took office two years ago with a pledge to end a decade of engaging policies by his liberal predecessors, seem to inch toward a thaw.

The two countries have been holding a series of working-level bilateral discussions on improving operations at their joint industrial park and reopening suspended cross-border tours, while South Korea's offer of humanitarian aid to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) was accepted recently in what local media said was another sign of bettering ties.

The two sides are ahead of the working-level military talks over easing border restrictions to improve operations at their industrial complex, but the date has yet to be set.