In the wake of recent proposals put forth by North Korea to hold military talks, South Korea has replied that inter-Korean dialogue can be held only after Pyongyang takes steps to denuclearize.
 
Defense Ministry Spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a news briefing that the reply was sent to the North Korean Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces at around 9:30 a.m. Monday via an inter-Korean military communications line.
 
According to Moon, Seoul reiterated that the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula are due to the North’s provocations, including its nuclear tests and missile launches. It also expressed regret that Pyongyang had proposed inter-Korean military talks without any mention over its nuclear program.
 
While stressing that the Seoul government's basic stance places top priority on the North's denuclearization steps, he called on the regime to clarify its position on the nuclear issue and take concrete measures towards abandoning its nuke program if it sincerely wants peace and stability on the peninsula.
 
On Saturday, the North Korean Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces proposed holding a working-level meeting with South Korea in late May or early June in preparation for previously proposed military talks between the two nations.