SOUTH Korean President Park Geun-hye, thwarted so far in ambitious plans to begin the process of reunifying the Korean peninsula, has said the door is open for talks with the North during the forthcoming UN General Assembly.

However, Ms Park said Pyongyang must show sincerity in seeking a constructive dialogue and "walk the talk" in taking up South Korea's offers for engagement aimed at ending a deadlock after a decade of warming ties.

North Korea will send its foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, to the UN General Assembly meeting, the highest ranking official from the reclusive state to attend in 15 years.

Pyongyang has not accepted South Korea's overtures and the unpredictable North's official media has heaped insults on Ms Park who said there are no current plans to meet North Korean officials in New York.

She said: "If the opportunity does arise and they actually have the opportunity to respond and take up our offer, our earlier offer to engage in high level contacts and for dialogue, I think such opportunities would be a good thing.

"If our foreign ministers were also able to engage in dialogue on that particular point, that would also be a good thing," she added.

Her comments signal further willingness to engage with Pyongyang despite a lack of progress after 19 months in office.