CAPE TOWN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The South African government said Thursday that it was encouraged by the resumption of high-level talks between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

South Africa welcomed the first high-level bilateral meeting in almost two years between the two countries, said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

"South Africa is encouraged by the resumption of direct, inter-Korean dialogue as the best way forward to ensure lasting peace and prosperity to all on the Korean Peninsula, for the entire world's benefit," DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.

South Africa wishes to pledge its full support for this joint initiative as it unfolds and progresses, said Monyela.

South Korea and the DPRK on Tuesday kicked off a senior-level dialogue on inter-Korean relations at the truce village of Panmunjom, with an initial focus on the DPRK's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.0 The two sides agreed to cooperate to make the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics a success, take measures to ease tension on the peninsula and continue the process of rapprochement.