Press Release (January 11)
Spokesperson s Comment on North Korea s Proposal for Talks
North Korea caused a great sacrifice of South Korean people with a series of provocative actions including a shooting of a tourist at Mt. Geumgang, a torpedo attack of Cheonan Corvette, and shelling of Yeonpyong Island. However, the North did not accept its responsibility and unilaterally proposes talks to gain economic support and aid.
South Korea sees the proposal as a disguised peaceful offer to the international community and one of its conventional tactics to divide South Korea. The north has shown similar behaviors for dozen times to turn the situation to its own advantage.
To have genuine inter-Korean talks,
1) the North must promise responsible measures for Cheonan Corvette sinking and artillery attack on Yeonpyong Island and show a commitment to prevent additional provocative actions.
2) the South needs to confirm the North s sincerity for denuclearization and proposes inter-Korean working-level government meeting.
To have discussions on pending issues suggested by the North, South Korean government believes the two issues mentioned above must be resolved through inter-Korean working-level dialogue.
Ministry of Unification
