Seoul's Unification Ministry has reaffirmed its position against lifting its economic sanctions on North Korea.

A ministry official told reporters Wednesday that it would be strange to discuss lifting the sanctions at a time when the North is moving to conduct its fourth nuclear test.

The official stressed that Pyongyang should change first before Seoul lifts the sanctions.

On the topic of inter-Korean projects, the official said that quite a few, such as reforestation can be done without Seoul lifting the sanctions.

The South Korean government is closely watching the North’s movements regarding the fourth nuclear test and the official said the government would do its best to prevent the test from happening.