Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok has urged stable development of inter-Korean ties in the face of U.S. pressure on North Korea over its financial crimes.

In a monthly ministry meeting Monday, Lee called stable cross-border relations the basis to counter a situation that might evolve from the subtle dynamics surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

Citing the North's nuclear standoff and inter-Korean military tension as the two main threats to the peninsula, he said the two Koreas must not slow down on alleviating tension despite the deadlock in the nuclear issue.