The Unification Ministry says that it will take a flexible approach toward cross-border civilian exchanges for as long as international sanctions are thoroughly observed against the North.
 
In a regular news briefing on Monday, Ministry spokesman Lee Duk-haeng revealed the softened stance, saying that keeping the ties severed is not desirable for the stability of the Korean Peninsula.
 
Lee then hinted more civilian exchanges will be allowed under the new government as he noted that the ministry will soon review civic organization’s requests for visiting North Korea or holding talks with their North Korean counterparts.
 
The comments came while a dozen applications from civic groups are pending at the ministry for government permits for their exchanges with North Korea.
 
Regarding the North’s launch of a ballistic missile on Sunday, the spokesman stressed that the new government will strongly respond to provocations by the Pyongyang regime.