North Korea repeated the need to improve relations on the Korean peninsula on Saturday, with still no answer to the South's offer for talks.
 
The North's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said in an editorial that both Koreas should stop the slander and abuse that is destructive to the reconciliation of South and North Korea. The editorial also said that a proper environment to improve inter-Korean relations should be created.
 
The newspaper urged that talks, exchanges and contact should be held and made frequently, adding South Korea should respond positively to their requests. 

The newspaper also demanded the South halt military exercises with the U.S. and stop South Koreans from flying propaganda balloons over the inter-Korean border.
 
However, it did not have a response to the latest development that some civic groups agreed to exercise restraint in flying propaganda balloons, at the request of the South Korean government.