The government has reaffirmed that it will lift sanctions on North Korea only after Pyongyang takes responsible measures.
 
A Unification Ministry official on Tuesday explained President Park Geun-hye's remarks made a day earlier that the two Koreas may discuss the issue of lifting sanctions at the planned high-level talks. 
 
Calling Park's comments meaningful, the official stressed, however, that they didn't mean that Seoul's stance has changed regarding the sanctions it slapped on Pyongyang following the North's sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010.
 
The official added that to discuss responsible measures, the South and North should first hold face-to-face talks.
 
Regarding the president’s remarks on the supply of fertilizer to North Korea, the official said it is different from the massive government-level aid in the past as it is only aimed at easing village-level food shortages.
 
He also made it clear that the government does not link the issue of family reunions with providing fertilizer or food to the North.