Unification_briefing_0516_01.jpg

Ministry of Unification spokesperson Baik Tae-hyun briefs the press on the Korean government’s stance concerning North Korea’s abrupt cancellation of high-level talks that were scheduled for May 16. (Ministry of Unification)

By Sohn JiAe

The Korean government has expressed its regret over North Korea’s abrupt decision to call off a meeting between high-ranking inter-Korean officials that was scheduled for May 16 in Panmunjeom.

Ministry of Unification spokesperson Baik Tae-hyun said in a press briefing on the supposed day of the talks that, “The North’s unilateral suspension of the talks, citing a joint Korea-U.S. military drill, immediately after it decided on the exact date for the meeting, goes against the fundamental spirit and purpose of the Panmunjeom Declaration that was agreed between the two leaders at the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit on April 27.”

The spokesperson stressed that, “The Seoul government has the firm resolution to faithfully carry out the declaration. We urge the North to swiftly come to the table for the sake of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.”

“Dialogue between the two Koreas must continue so as to keep discussing issues raised by Pyeongyang. Our government will carry out necessary measures by having government bodies in both Koreas work closely so that we can achieve sustainable developments in terms of inter-Korean ties, and forge a permanent peace on the peninsula through the implementation of the declaration,” he said.

The U.S. maintains a cautious stance concerning North Korea’s most recent statement.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said, “We have no information on that [cancelation] from North Korea and also from the South Korean government. However, we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.”

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, meanwhile, said that, “The U.S. will look at what North Korea has said independently, and continue to coordinate closely with our allies.”

jiae5853@korea.kr