DPRK refuses to accept resolution on inter-Korean dialogue

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday refused to accept the resolution calling for inter-Korean dialogue passed by South Korea's National Assembly, Seoul's Unification Ministry said on Friday.

A ministry official told a press that Seoul has attempted to send the resolution through a communication line on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, but the DPRK refused to accept it " according to instructions from authority."

South Korea's National Assembly passed the resolution in late December, calling for preparations for unification with the South and North and talks between the two sides.

It was reported that the resolution shows regret on the frosty bilateral relations amid the DPRK's repeated military provocations. It also calls for the DPRK to carry out active dialogues and negotiation to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

The Unification Ministry on Friday expressed regrets on the DPRK's rejection and hoped that Pyongyang could take active actions on dialogue and negotiations in future.

Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae last Thursday also said that Seoul hopes to hold an inter-governmental dialogue with the DPRK in the near future and offered to hold high-level talks with the DPRK in January.

Ryoo made the remarks through a three-sentence statement unveiled after top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year's address that "there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks (with South Korea)."