The government says Pyongyang should earnestly review Seoul's proposal to improve relations and respond to follow-up talks, following inter-Korean vice-ministerial discussions that ended without results.
 
A Ministry of Unification official told reporters Sunday that the government will exercise patience and continue to pursue progress in inter-Korean relations, urging the North to also implement the August 25 South-North agreement.
 
The official said the North repeatedly called for simultaneously resuming tourism to Mount Geumgang and holding family reunions in March or April.
 
Seoul proposed holding Red Cross talks at the end of January to resolve the issue of separated families and a working-level meeting to secure the safety of visitors if tourism to the mountain is resumed, but the North rejected the proposal.
 
The official said the talks broke down as the North wanted the South to express a clear position on resuming tourism.
 
The official said tourism and reuniting separated families should not be linked, noting that the North is responsible for the suspension of tourism and that, at present, Seoul isn't considering offers for follow-up talks.