The Unification Ministry said Monday that based on the Berlin Initiative, it will consistently pursue efforts for the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and sustainable development of inter-Korean ties.
 
Unification Ministry Spokesman Baik Tae-hyun revealed the stance in a regular press briefing on Monday after being asked if the government will focus on sanctions in the wake of North Korea’s sixth nuclear test.
 
Baik said the government will not, by any means, tolerate the North’s nuclear and missile provocations and firmly protect the lives of the South Korean people and the nation’s security.
 
His remarks suggest that Seoul will maintain a two-track stance with regard to the North under which it will sternly respond to provocations but seek to resolve North Korea’s nuclear issue through dialogue and seek the advancement of inter-Korean ties.