LOC10:25
07:25 GMT
TOKYO, July 21 (KUNA) -- South Korea's Defense Ministry on Friday pressed North Korea to hold bilateral military talks on easing border tension, as Pyongyang remained mum toward Seoul's dialogue offer, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The meeting was proposed for Friday at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone in what would be their first military dialogue in almost three years. But the North has kept silent since the South delivered the overture Monday.
"The North Korean side has not issued a position so far. Accordingly, it has become virtually difficult to open the talks today," Moon Sang-gyun, the ministry's spokesman, said in a statement.
He stressed the urgency of reducing military tensions and restoring a military communication channel between the two Koreas for the peace and stability of the peninsula. "The Ministry of National Defense once again calls on the North to respond positively to our offer as soon as possible," he said.
The official said his ministry will continue to wait for the North's reply for several more days, adding the dialogue proposal is effective through next Thursday, when Korea marks the signing anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement.
In another follow-up to the speech, the South also suggested Monday that humanitarian talks with the North be held Aug. 1 to arrange the resumption of reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. The North also has not replied. (end)
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