N.K. media intensifies demand for S. Korea to voice own views in inter-Korean affairs

SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean propaganda outlet urged South Korea on Thursday to take its side and move inter-Korean relations forward, as cross-border exchanges remain sluggish amid stalled denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

North Korea has been repeatedly demanding that South Korea take steps to improve cross-border relations independently of outside influence, calling on Seoul not to mind the United States but to be more active in implementing the summit agreements signed last year.

"If the South Korean authorities really want the improvement in the North-South relations and peaceful unification, they should share our position, keep pace with us and show its sincerity with practical acts," Uriminzokkiri, a North Korean propaganda website, said.

"It is more important than anything else to have a right position of sticking to the North-South declarations and completely implement them," it added, referring to summit agreements signed by their leaders last year.

Meari, another North Korean propaganda outlet, made a similar call recently, saying: "The relations cannot be improved with only one side making efforts. We can expect a result when the North and the South work together."

Inter-Korean relations have not moved forward much recently, with major cross-border projects placed on hold, apparently affected by stalemated denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

February's summit between North Korean leader Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump ended without a deal as they failed to find common ground over the scope of Pyongyang's denuclearization and Washington's sanctions relief.

North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui recently warned of an "undesired consequence," accusing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent remarks that Washington could change course in the event that nuclear negotiations collapse.

"As for the so-called change paths talked about by the United States, it is not a privileged right that pertains only to the U.S., but it could also be our choice at our own will," she was quoted as saying by the North's official Korean Central News Agency in English on Tuesday.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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