South Korea calls on North Korea for dialogue

South Korean President Yun Seok-yul on Thursday presented an initiative for unification with North Korea, proposing the creation of an official channel for dialogue between the two countries. According to him, any issues could be discussed through this channel, Liter.kz reports, citing Yonhap.

Speaking on Liberation Day, which marks the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Yun said complete liberation remains an unfinished task as the Korean Peninsula remains divided.

“The South Korean president outlined three main tasks on the path to unification: protecting freedom in South Korea from fake news and destabilizing factors, making changes in North Korea, and strengthening cooperation with the international community,” the publication writes.

Yun proposed setting up a working group to discuss ways to reduce tensions, resume economic cooperation and increase exchanges. He said the body could address issues including reducing tensions, economic cooperation, humanitarian and cultural exchanges, and responding to natural disasters and climate change.

South Korea’s president urged North Korea to consider his proposal, saying dialogue and cooperation could lead to real progress in inter-Korean relations.

Yun also recalled the initiative in which the Republic of Korea is ready to provide assistance to North Korea in exchange for denuclearization.

The proposal comes amid rising tensions between the countries after North Korea sent garbage balloons toward South Korea in retaliation for South Koreans sending propaganda leaflets. In June, South Korea resumed broadcasting propaganda over loudspeakers in the border area for the first time since January 2016.