A top South Korean official says he hopes there will be a break this year in the impasse over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-Young told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sunday that South Korea is ready to provide large-scale economic aid if the North gives up its nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Chung said he hopes for a breakthrough by November, when South Korea hosts an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Mr. Chung said if there is a resolution of the dispute, North Korea could attend the summit.
Sunday was the final day of the World Economic Forum -- an annual gathering of international political and business leaders in the Swiss resort town of Davos.