North Korea says that South Korea should first stop anti-Pyongyang hostile activities, including floating propaganda leaflets via balloons into its territory, before proposing high-level inter-Korean talks.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Saturday that that the door for dialogue will automatically open if Seoul stops all psychological warfare activities such as sending propaganda leaflets.

The North claimed that the South is using its military forces to support the “balloon military operation,” threatening retaliation for what it called an act of provocation.

South Korea proposed a second round of high-level inter-Korean talks on August 11, but the North has yet to respond.