South Korea says that it can discuss with North Korea the issue of lifting sanctions imposed on the North if inter-Korean talks resume.
 
South Korea’s Unification Ministry said on Sunday that if the North accepts the South’s calls for dialogue, it could discuss various pending issues including the May 24 measures imposed after the North's sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010.
 
The ministry, however, reaffirmed the position that it is impossible to lift the May 24 measures without any responsible action from North Korea.
 
The ministry said that the measures are not aimed at suspending inter-Korean exchanges, but at correcting the practices in which the North received rewards for its provocation.
 
The ministry also said that the South Korean government will actively support inter-Korean exchanges led by civic groups in areas of culture, history and sports as this year marks the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence from Japan's colonial rule.