Seoul: Restoring lines of communication between the two Koreas was carried out at the request of the North Korean leader

South Korea's intelligence agency said on Tuesday that the restoration of long-cut communication hotlines between Seoul and Pyongyang had begun at the request of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The presidential office in Seoul announced a week ago that the two Koreas had restored direct lines of communication across the border and resumed communications.. After North Korea cut hotlines 13 months ago in protest against anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent by activists across the border from the South.

And the "Yonhap" agency stated that this came during a parliamentary briefing today to the intelligence agency, and indicated that the two Koreas communicate regularly by phone twice every day, noting that the reopening of communication lines reflects North Korea's expectations that Seoul will play a role in reviving relations between North Korea and the United States in the the recipient.

She added that North Korea is currently demanding permission to export minerals and import refined oil and other necessities of life as prerequisites for reviving dialogue with Washington.