South Korea's unification minister called for the need to resolve any challenges through dialogue on Saturday, apparently referring to a recent setback in efforts for the North and the United States to hold a summit to discuss denuclearization.
"Any predicament and challenge should be overcome through dialogue with all involved parties respecting each other and putting themselves in the other's position," Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said during an event for college students in Seoul.
"Denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula are a task that we can never give up on, nor put on the back burner," he added.
US President Donald Trump and North Korea`s leader Kim Jong-un Yonhap
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump abruptly canceled his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, citing "tremendous anger and open hostility" displayed in the North's recent statement.
The North appeared to relent, saying it stays open to talks with the US anytime and in any format, which was followed by Trump saying the summit could happen as scheduled, spawning hope for the two leaders to meet next month.
Trump earlier tweeted that if held, the US-North Korea summit will likely take place as scheduled in Singapore on June 12.
The possible cancellation of what would be an unprecedented summit between the two longtime foes is raising concerns it could put the brakes on the two Koreas seeking expanded cooperation and exchanges, a hope rekindled after the April 27 inter-Korean summit.
On Friday, Cho said the government will do its part to implement the agreement reached by the leaders of the two Koreas, despite the US decision to cancel the highly anticipated summit with the North. (Yonhap)