The South Korean government strongly criticized Pyongyang on Sunday for suggesting it will cut off inter-Korean dialogue, including the second round of high-level talks, due to anti-North Korea leaflet campaigns run by civic groups in the South.
“If North Korea truly wants to achieve peace of the Korean Peninsula and improve inter-Korean relations, we call on Pyongyang to act in accordance,” South Korea’s Ministry of Unification Spokesman Lim Byeong Cheol said.
“North Korea claims that we [South Korea] are protecting and supporting civic groups here that are voluntarily sending the flyers, and it is using it as an excuse to say it will pull out of the talks,” he said in a statement. “The North needs to clearly understand these unilateral assertions of threat will not gain them anything.”
The ministry also emphasized, “Directly referring to and criticizing our president as well as talking about‘punishing’ our people is an act that under no circumstances can be accepted, according to inter-Korean agreements and international standards. Our government warns the North that any such actions that threaten the safety of our people will be met with strong counteractions.”
“North Korea, through its three high-ranking officials, had shown a positive response to the idea of holding the second round of high-level talks late October or early November, but to our disappointment, it has failed to move forward on the issue by setting unjust preconditions,” the statement pointed out. It also added, “They need to think about how their irrational actions, which only keep in mind their so-called‘highest dignity’ [Kim leadership], are viewed by the international community.”
Seoul said the second round of high-level dialogue has in effect been called off, but did leave room open for the possibility of them taking place in the future.
Spokesman Lim said after reading his statement, “We believe the second round of high-level talks have been canceled,” when asked whether Seoul may propose a new date to Pyongyang. He added, “As of now, we do not have any additional measures planned in this regard.”
However, he emphasized, “Whether these inter-Korean high-level talks will take place in the future depend on North Korea’s attitude and if it withdraws its unjust preconditions.”
The previous day North Korea issued a statement through its mouthpiece Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland that stated, “How are we to hold talks and discuss improving inter-Korean relations with those who protect, support, and encourage leaflet spraying that insults our highest dignity instead of actually controlling it.” It added, “As long as the leaflet spraying continues, the South shall not even dream of sitting down with us at the table for talks.”
The committee also included harsh criticism of the South Korean president, referring to her directly by name, and also threatened the "possibility of terror" against conservative and defector civic groups behind the leaflet operation.
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