Spokesperson s Comment
On January 10th, the spokesperson of Ministry of Unification delivered a comment officially proposing talks between government officials from two Koreas. The South offered the talk to confirm the North s commitment to 1) responsible measures for Cheonan torpedo attack, shelling of Yeonpyong Island and refraining from further provocative acts 2) the sincerity of denuclearization.
In response, on January 20th, North Korea sent a letter signed by the Minister of the People s Armed Forces requesting talks to express views on Cheonan Corvette sinking and shelling of Yeonpyong Island as well as to ease the military tension on the Korean Peninsula.
Today, the South proposed to hold working-level talks on February 11th aiming to prepare for inter-Korean high-ranking military talks. The agenda of the talk will be the confirmation of the North s commitment to responsible measure for Cheonan sinking, artillery attack on Yeonpyong Island and to avoid further provocations.
Furthermore, on January 20th, South Korean government urged the necessity of holding separate high-level official meeting to confirm North Korea's sincerity for denuclearization.
South Korean government must confirm North Korean government s willingness to abandon its nuclear program for the peaceful Korean Peninsula and improved ties between the two Koreas. Therefore, the South calls for the North to accept the proposal for the official meeting to show its responsible stance on nuclear issue.
Ministry of Unification
