The Unification Ministry said it attempted to hold contact with North Korea on Tuesday via the inter-Korean communication hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom but got no response.
 
A ministry official told reporters that the attempt was made at 9 a.m. as usual but that there was no response. The official said the ministry will make one more attempt later in the afternoon.
 
The South-North hotline was severed in February 2016 following the suspension of operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
 
However, the possibility that the hotline could be recovered emerged when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unveiled an active stance toward holding inter-Korean dialogue during his New Year’s Address issued on Monday.
 
Asked when Seoul will propose inter-Korean talks to discuss North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, the official said the matter is under careful consideration and being consulted on among related agencies.