 |
| UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon |
By Shim Jae-yun
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on North Korea, Monday, to accept South Korea's proposal for dialogue.
In a statement, Ban expressed hope that "North Korea positively consider the offer (by the South) and come to the dialogue table."
He emphasized that the only dialogue is a shortcut toward building trust and improving relations between the two Koreas.
Ban's statement came a day after Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae proposed a minister-level meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern including the reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
Ryoo renewed a call for the North to accept the South's proposal during a meeting with members of the Unification Preparation Committee at the Seoul Government Complex, Tuesday.
"We made the proposal with the sincere intention to make substantial progress toward possible unification next year which marks the 70th anniversary of national division," he said.
"We hope North Korea will comply with our proposal regardless of the format and agenda of the possible talks," he added.
Ryoo also indicated the possibility Seoul will lift the May 24 sanctions ― imposed following the North's alleged sinking of the warship Cheonan in 2010 ― depending on progress in the talks.
The incident has been the biggest barricade in inter-Korean relations with the South having insisted on an apology from the North, which has continually denied any involvement.
The committee members discussed ways of expanding civilian exchanges and cooperation between the two Koreas, resolution of humanitarian issues, and the envisioned construction of a peace park within the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Despite the repeated calls from the South, North Korea fired a salvo at President Park Geun-hye and the preparatory committee, Tuesday.
The reclusive nation raised the issue of anti-Pyongyang leaflets and the South's planned move to legislate a North Korean human rights law.
The Rodong Shinmum, the official paper of the Workers' Party, hinted the North would continue to address the issue of the leaflet sending, describing it as an attempt to incite confrontation between the two Koreas.
Prof. Yang Moo-jin at the University of North Korean Studies termed the North's response as a test of authenticity of the South's proposal.
"It seems like North Korea is attempting to stress the need for dialogue. It is trying to gain the upper hand over the South by revealing its stance on dialogue before coming to the table."
![[ANALYSIS] China's ban on Micron tests Washington-Seoul alliance](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/1785a57b07ae45a7b7db49fdf4acd720.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Long-awaited extension of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale to be pushed forward](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/d8d5090875824ce08a90bb2c5a8f8c05.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
