South Korea expressed its opinion on North Korea's unexpected move.
(Baonghean.vn) - South Korea has expressed its stance on North Korea's unilateral decision to cancel inter-Korean talks scheduled for May 16. Seoul called on Pyongyang to return to dialogue as soon as possible.
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| South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun. Photo: Yonhap |
Earlier in the day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that the country had canceled high-level talks with South Korea, citing ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the US. Pyongyang also threatened to cancel the summit with the US scheduled for June 12.
“It is regrettable that North Korea’s unilateral move to postpone high-level inter-Korean talks, citing the annual US-South Korea air force exercises, is inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of the agreements reached between the two countries’ leaders,” spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said in a statement on behalf of the South Korean Unification Ministry.
“The South Korean government remains strongly committed to faithfully implementing the Panmunjom Declaration and urges North Korea to engage in dialogue as soon as possible for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula,” the statement added, referring to the agreements reached during the April 27 summit between the two countries.
The ministry later confirmed that it had conveyed a similar message to North Korea.
After a historic summit held at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un affirmed the goal of “complete” denuclearization, agreed to stop all hostile acts and expand cross-border cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to hold reunions for families separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War on August 15. On May 15, the two Koreas announced a list of officials participating in the May 16 talks, including those in charge of transportation, railways, forestry and cultural affairs.
South Korea's Unification Ministry, which is responsible for inter-Korean affairs, stressed the need for continued dialogue to resolve issues raised by North Korea.
The ministry added that it will propose “necessary measures” through close consultations with relevant government agencies to promote inter-Korean relations and establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula by implementing the agreements reached at the summit.