South Korea said lifting sanctions on North Korea as a precondition for dialogue is unacceptable.
 
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, a Unification Ministry official said the government would not accept unfair conditions that go against democratic principles in order to hold talks and urged the regime to change its attitude.
 
He noted the sanctions were put in place following North Korea's deadly torpedoing of a South Korean Navy vessel in 2010. He therefore stressed that Pyongyang should take reasonable measures if it hopes to revisit the lifting of sanctions.
 
The official emphasized that it’s necessary to abide by principles, even though it may take more time, because the ultimate goal is a normalized development of inter-Korean relations.