South Korea's new point man on North Korea pledged Monday to make every effort to pave the way for a peaceful reunification by exerting flexibility if needed for dialogue.

"Dialogue, exchange and cooperation with North Korea is one of the important tasks for me and the unification ministry," he said in his inauguration speech. "We will never let go of the string of dialogue, although North Korea is reluctant to hold talks."
  

The government, Hong said, will continue to explore ways for "more effective methods of communication" with the North.
  

"(The government) will maintain the keynote of its policy to deal sternly with North Korea's misbehavior but exert flexibility if dialogue is necessary," he said.
  

He also said his ministry will cooperate closely with the Presidential Committee for Unification Preparation, which has come under fierce attack from the North.
  

The panel, created last year, is a "platform for the government and the civilian sector to make methodical preparations (for reunification) together," said Hong.
  

Over the weekend, the North issued a statement calling for the disbandment of the committee, taking issue with remarks by a senior official.
  

Chung Chong-wook, vice chairman of the panel, reportedly said last week that his organization has a team for the unification of social systems on the peninsula even amid lack of agreement between the two Koreas. Chung said later he was misquoted.
  

The new minister, meanwhile, said he is neither "dovish" nor "hawkish" when it comes to North Korea policy.
  

"If you ask me about that, you may call me an owl," he quipped, as he briefly met reporters. "I think a balanced approach is of importance."
  

Hong, formerly a professor, is known as a "brain" for the president's policy on Pyongyang.
  

He served as presidential secretary for unification for the last two years. (Yonhap)