SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's unification ministry sees a possibility for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to explore dialogue with the United States and improve inter-Korean relations next year.

The ministry said on Tuesday in a report on situations and forecast for the DPRK affairs that Pyongyang was forecast to search for an exit externally while continuing to pursue the advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities next year.

To be accepted as a nuclear state externally, the DPRK was expected to deplore talks with the United States in 2018.

While keeping tabs on situations change next year, the DPRK would likely seek improved inter-Korean relations next year, the ministry said.

It noted that attention should be paid to whether top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un will announce his country's policy on South Korea during the possible New Year's address on Jan. 1.

The DPRK conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September, followed by the test-launch in November of what it claimed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the U.S. mainland.