North Korea calls for inter-Korea cooperation ahead of talks

By Rachel Lee

North Korea’s state media called for inter-Korean cooperation Sunday ahead of bilateral high-level talks this week.

The two sides agreed last week to hold talks in the truce village of Panmunjom, Tuesday, to discuss Pyongyang’s possible participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that past history proved relations between the North and the South can only be improved when the two sides work together.

“The will to improve relations between the North and the South should be backed up not by words, but actions to promote the Korean people’s unity, reconciliation and reunification,” KCNA said.

It added that any move to interrupt contact between the two Koreas through unfair legal and institutional tools was a deceptive trick to mislead public opinion both at home and abroad.

“The North and the South should be responsible and play a leading role in enhancing bilateral ties and the success or failure of the outcome depends on how much efforts are made,” the agency said.

North Korea’s propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri said issues on the Korean Peninsula would be solved by creating a peaceful environment, pointing to “endless war against the North in the South, which escalated tension.”