South Korea presses North Korea to give up nukes in response to dialogue offer

South Korea on Sunday renewed its call for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program after Pyongyang proposed inter-Korean military talks despite months of tension over its nuke and missile tests, according to Yonhap News.

On Saturday, North Korea offered to hold a working-level meeting with South Korea in late May or early June to prepare for military talks.

It is part of what looks like the North's charm offensive toward the South following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's proposal to open inter-Korean military talks made at the country's recently-concluded party congress.

But Seoul made it clear that denuclearization steps should be a top priority when it comes to dialogue with Pyongyang.

"North Korea blames South Korea for raising military tension on the Korean Peninsula, but it is clear that the North's nuclear arsenal is the biggest threat to peace and stability," a government official said Sunday.

He said that if the North genuinely hopes to improve its ties with the South, it should first show its commitment to denuclearization with action. 

Pyongyang's offer for dialogue came as the North's leader has declared his country a "responsible" nuclear weapons state in a clear sign that he has no intention of abandoning its nuclear program. 

Source : MENA