South Korea again prodded the North Tuesday to come to the negotiating table to discuss bilateral cooperation as the two countries are set to mark the anniversary of their landmark agreement this week.
The rival Koreas implemented the so-called Inter-Korean Basic Agreement on Feb. 19 in 1992, which called for reconciliation and non-aggression between the countries as well as increased exchanges and cooperation.
"Thursday marks the 23rd anniversary of entering into force the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement, which is the basic charter for inter-Korean relations," the South Korean unification ministry said in its statement issued to mark the event.
"The government respects all the agreements forged between South and North Korea including the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement and it once again makes it clear that Seoul maintains its coherent stance to build inter-Korean trust by abiding by them," according to the statement.
Referring to the reconciliatory agreement, Seoul again called on the North to accept its offer of high-level inter-Korean talks.
Seoul proposed the talks in late December to discuss pending issues including arranging a reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. The North, however, has yet to answer.
"South and North Korea should solve pending inter-Korean issues including the reunion of separated families peacefully through dialogue and negotiations as agreed up in the basic agreement," the statement noted.
"North Korea should show a responsible attitude to overcome inter-Korean division by coming without hesitation to respond to the talks offer," it also said.