South Korea says North Korea’s nuclear development destroys the basic spirits of agreements reached between the two Koreas.

The Unification Ministry presented the position on Monday in a statement marking the 16th anniversary of the June 15th Joint Declaration, which was signed by the two Koreas in 2000.

The statement said that Pyongyang is continuing its nuclear development and provocations in spite of Seoul’s support and cooperation, which places a serious hurdle on mending inter-Korean relations as well as achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The statement then urged the North to halt provocations, abandon nuclear ambitions and take the path of change to improve cross-border relations and move towards a peaceful reunification.

The statement said that the Seoul government’s position remains unchanged in that it respects all inter-Korean agreements and makes its best efforts to uphold and implement them.