North Korea suggested Wednesday that the South Korean government should break from its "Cold War mentality" and boldly change its current hard-line policy toward the North.
North Korea's Rodong Shinmun published an article which stated, "The entire nation is hoping for a solution to the hostile state of North-South relations. Now is the time for South Korea to make a bold decision, lest they be remembered shamefully by history and future generations."
The article emphasized, "Considering new perspectives and opening new paths to the improvement of North-South Korean relations is important. South Korea must boldly move away from the Cold War mentality of antagonizing people of different beliefs and systems."
It also stated, "They need to do away with their stiff measures and create an environment for the essential conditions for reconciliation and unity. What they especially need to do is to put a halt to joint military exercises with foreign powers, which is the culmination of South Korea's hostile policies toward their fellow Koreans."
The paper had previously criticized Korea-U.S. joint military exercises as "the source of hostile North-South relations" and "a malignant tumor destroying North-South relations." It once claimed that "the reason for dispute between North and South Korea stems from the U.S. ambition to conquer the Korean Peninsula."
The article went on to say, "If the June 15 joint statement and Oct. 4 statement, the outlines for peaceful reunification, had been upheld, then the issue of normalizing relations would not even be an issue. The government must fulfill what is outlined in these statements."
The North Korean website "Uri Minzok Kkiri" also stated, "The classic example of South Korea's outdated approach is seen in them viewing the denuclearization of North Korea as a premise for improving North-South relations."
It warned, "If South Korea truly wanted to improve North-South relations and peacefully reunify, then they must first warm their cold, distrusting hearts."
North Korea's Rodong Shinmun published an article which stated, "The entire nation is hoping for a solution to the hostile state of North-South relations. Now is the time for South Korea to make a bold decision, lest they be remembered shamefully by history and future generations."
The article emphasized, "Considering new perspectives and opening new paths to the improvement of North-South Korean relations is important. South Korea must boldly move away from the Cold War mentality of antagonizing people of different beliefs and systems."
It also stated, "They need to do away with their stiff measures and create an environment for the essential conditions for reconciliation and unity. What they especially need to do is to put a halt to joint military exercises with foreign powers, which is the culmination of South Korea's hostile policies toward their fellow Koreans."
The paper had previously criticized Korea-U.S. joint military exercises as "the source of hostile North-South relations" and "a malignant tumor destroying North-South relations." It once claimed that "the reason for dispute between North and South Korea stems from the U.S. ambition to conquer the Korean Peninsula."
The article went on to say, "If the June 15 joint statement and Oct. 4 statement, the outlines for peaceful reunification, had been upheld, then the issue of normalizing relations would not even be an issue. The government must fulfill what is outlined in these statements."
The North Korean website "Uri Minzok Kkiri" also stated, "The classic example of South Korea's outdated approach is seen in them viewing the denuclearization of North Korea as a premise for improving North-South relations."
It warned, "If South Korea truly wanted to improve North-South relations and peacefully reunify, then they must first warm their cold, distrusting hearts."