SEOUL, September 2, 2009 (AFP) - South Korea on Wednesday played down a series of peace overtures from North Korea, saying the communist state is still unwilling to resume talks on giving up its nuclear weaponry.

Unification Minister Hyun In-Taek noted the North's conciliatory moves in recent weeks after months of hardline actions, including numerous missile launches and a nuclear test.

"But I believe it was a tactical, not fundamental, change because nothing has changed in its attitude toward six-party talks and the nuclear issue," Hyun told a seminar with ruling party lawmakers.

After reaching a six-party disarmament deal in 2007, the North quit the forum in April in protest at the UN Security Council's decision to censure its long-range rocket launch that month.

In May it staged its second nuclear test, incurring international anger and tougher UN sanctions.

The policy change became noticeable in early August when former US president Bill Clinton visited Pyongyang and met leader Kim Jong-Il, who pardoned two American journalists sentenced to jail for illegal entry.

The North has since released five detained South Koreans, lifted border restrictions on its neighbour and agreed to allow more reunions for families divided since the 1950-1953 Korean War.

It sent envoys to Seoul last month for talks with President Lee Myung-Bak on improving relations.

On Wednesday the two sides restored a military hotline in the west of the peninsula.

Minister Hyun said recent developments have only put inter-Korean relations back to where they were.

"I don't see the North's moves as a sign they have altered their stance," he said. "The measures have only returned things back to normal."

North Korea is keen to hold bilateral discussions with Washington on ending the nuclear standoff. The US says such talks must be held within the six-nation framework, which also groups China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

Some analysts say the latest goodwill gestures may aim to undermine international efforts to enforce the UN sanctions.