An official from North Korea's National Reconciliation Council said Friday that the restoration of inter-Korean relations depends on how South Korea decides to act, stressing that how the six-party talks will unfold is still up in the air.

Speaking under the guarantee of confidentiality, the official expressed strong discontent that South Korea voted in favor of a U.N. committee resolution denouncing North Korea's human rights violations.

It was the first time for Seoul to give a yes vote on a U.N. resolution regarding North Korea's human rights situation. The resolution will go to a full General Assembly vote next month.

He called Seoul's decision "an act of defiance" and said human rights are an issue that countries should deal with independently.

After nearly a year-long boycott, Pyongyang agreed to return to the multilateral talks that involve South and North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan. Analysts predict tough negotiations between Pyongyang, claiming to be a nuclear state, and Washington, demanding total nuclear disarmament by the North.