North Korea has given its condolences to South Korea over the sinking of the Sewol ferry.
 
The unification ministry said the North offered its condolences in a telephone message sent through its Red Cross Society. In the message, the North expressed its sympathy for the victims.
 
The North’s official media, the North Korean Central News Agency confirmed on Wednesday Pyongyang sent the condolence message to the South.

It’s the first time the North has expressed its condolences since 2003, when a subway fire in Daegu killed 198 people and typhoon Maemi left 117 dead in its wake.