North Korea has reiterated its stance that inter-Korean dialogue is impossible as long as South Korean sanctions on Pyongyang are in place.
  
The North’s propaganda Web site Uriminzokkiri said in an editorial on Monday that sanctions and talks are incompatible, since dialogue must be based on mutual respect, trust and equality.
  
It claimed that the South Korean government is apparently not sincere about inter-Korean talks, given that it is talking about dialogue while maintaining sanctions on North Korea.
  
The remarks are interpreted as a move to pressure the South and create a favorable environment ahead of an upcoming Seoul-Washington summit.