South Korea wants high-level talks with North to continue

SEOUL – South Korea’s President, Park Geun-hye, has called for ongoing high-level contact to be used as an opportunity to improve inter-Korea relations. “People say: ‘Dialogue is needed, even when at war’. We need to continue to talk in order to ease the tension and to build peace on the Korean Peninsula,” she said.

Speaking during the second round of meetings of a Unification Preparation Committee set up by her Government, Park said the authorities of both Governments need to meet and solve their pending issues.

“Due to the recent visit of high-ranking North Korean officials to Incheon, and an agreement to resume inter-Korea talks, the Korean people expected an improved inter-Korea relationship,” she said.

“Uncertainty has escalated, however, because of shots fired across the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea and the military demarcation line. Inter-Korea relations show such two-sided aspects.

“It is very dangerous to change the environment of inter-Korea relations with one rash judgment. For this reason, the South Korean Government will firmly respond to any provocations and make effort to help peace take root, all the while keeping the dialogue channels open. (ATI).