South Korea’s Unification Minister raised new hopes of peace on the Korean peninsula this week; confirming that negotiators are optimistic a treaty could be signed between the two countries before the end of 2018.

“I think it is possible,” said Minister Cho Myoung-gyon when asked whether North and South Korea would sign an official end of the Korean War before 2019. “Consultations among South, North Korea and the U.S. are underway.”

The Minister was cautious in discussing an end of the nearly 70-year long conflict, saying it would take time for Washington and Pyongyang to ease tensions and sign-off on the peace treaty.

“Considering the gravity of the nuclear problem, I think they might need some time for generating the [right] mood,” he said.

Cho’s comments come just hours after new satellite images showed Kim Jong Un’s regime has begun the process of “dismantling” a key nuclear launch facility; a signal he may be more willing to comply with the Trump administration’s demands than previously thought.