The South Korean government has urged North Korea to quickly respond to its proposal for inter-Korean high-level talks.
 
Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Eui-do pressed the North in a news briefing Monday, noting Pyongyang has not yet given any response to Seoul's proposal to discuss reunions for families separated by the Korean War.

Kim asked Pyongyang to present its preferred date if it is difficult to hold the meeting on Tuesday as proposed by Seoul.

The spokesman said that there are many humanitarian issues and mutual matters between the two Koreas, such as holding family reunions with the Chuseok thanksgiving holiday approaching. He added it is only possible to settle the issues when the two sides sit down together and discuss them face-to-face.

He added the North's demand for lifting South Korean sanctions should be discussed at government-level talks. 
 
Last Monday, the South Korean government proposed to hold inter-Korean high-level talks on the North’s side of the truce village of Panmunjeom.
 
Some experts have suggested that an inter-Korean meeting is unlikely to take place on Tuesday as proposed because the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) military exercise is under way.