Seoul's Unification Ministry has again called for Pyongyang's response to South Korea's proposal for inter-Korean family reunions, saying the proposal remains valid. 
 
In a regular briefing on Wednesday, ministry spokesman Baek Tae-hyun was asked whether North Korea's continued provocations have dampened prospects of a family reunion taking place around the Korean Chuseok thanksgiving holiday in early October.
 
The spokesman said that Seoul did not set a deadline when it proposed dialogue with the North and that the proposal for talks remains valid.
 
He said the government will be patient in striving to convey Seoul's consistent stance to North Korea for the sake of improving and advancing cross-border relations.
 
He urged Pyongyang to respond to the proposed inter-Korean Red Cross talks to discuss holding family reunions.
 
South Korea in July proposed Red Cross talks with the North to discuss holding family reunions around the time of the Chuseok holiday. The North has yet to respond.