South Korea has urged North Korea to abide by the agreement to hold high-level inter-Korean talks after the North hinted the planned dialogue is all but scrapped.

A Unification Ministry official in Seoul said Sunday that the government’s basic stance is that the second high-level contact is an issue that has already been agreed upon, so it should be kept.

The official said that it has not been decided on whether to hold working-level talks or exchange documents for the second high-level talks, but the South will review schedules and agenda and notify them to the North.

The official said that the launch of anti-North Korea leaflets is an issue private groups have to decide for themselves, adding that the government's stance has not changed and will remain the same.

The official, however, added that the government has taken and will take measures to ensure the safety of its people if necessary, hinting at possible measures to restrict the launch of leaflets by civic groups.