With Pyongyang remaining mum on Seoul's proposal for talks, the government stressed that its offer to hold inter-Korean family reunions has not expired.
 
In a regular briefing Friday, Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol reaffirmed Seoul's interest in holding the much-anticipated event before next month's Lunar New Year holiday.
 
The spokesman said, however, the government is not considering working-level Red Cross talks.
 
Lim said that Seoul has sufficiently conveyed its commitment to holding family reunions as the Presidential Preparatory Committee for Unification officially made the offer.
 
The spokesman said that arranging a reunion event for separated families across the border will likely take at least four weeks, and South Korea will prepare for the event as swiftly as possible if an agreement can be reached.