South Korea's minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs encouraged wisdom and flexibility in finding a way to respond to North Korea's demand that Seoul halt a planned combined military drill with Washington in March.

At a meeting with local media on Monday, Unification Minister Lee In-young cited the upcoming drill, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, and the planned U.S. transfer of wartime operational control(OPCON) as factors to be considered.

Lee then called on Pyongyang to also exercise flexibility regarding the allies' combined military exercises.

Stressing the need to more closely cooperate on North Korea with the new Joe Biden administration, the minister vowed to ensure that his ministry plays an active role in the process by seeking cross-border dialogue resumption and cooperation.

Lee reiterated Seoul's resolve to pursue inter-Korean cooperation in COVID-19 quarantine and humanitarian issues, saying President Moon Jae-in's policy of a "community for life and safety" will continue to be enforced.