The Ministry of Unification said that Seoul plans to take stern actions against the North’s provocation while it will encourage civilian groups to boost exchanges with North Korea. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 11 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea said Monday it will take stern actions against North Korea’s recent military provocation, but it will also seek to boost inter-Korean civilian exchanges to help restore national unity.
North Korea said Saturday that it successfully test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine, raising tension on the divided peninsula. Seoul voiced deep concerns Monday over the test-firing, calling on the communist country to stop the development of such missiles.
The Ministry of Unification said that Seoul plans to take stern actions against the North’s provocation while it will encourage civilian groups to boost exchanges with North Korea.
“The government will sternly respond to North Korea’s provocation and threats, but it also plans to seek dialogue and cooperation to build trust and restore national unity,” Lim Byeong-cheol, the ministry spokesman, said at a press briefing.
“In this regard, Seoul plans to spur inter-Korean civilian exchanges to promote people-to-people trust between the two Koreas,” he added.
Seoul has recently announced its plan to allow more civilian groups to increase exchanges in the areas of culture, sports and other non-political programs as this year marks the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.
(Yonhap)
