The nation’s top nuclear envoy Kim Sook says the government should not link the recent killing of a South Korean tourist at a North Korean resort with the aid pledged to the North under the six-party nuclear talks.

In an interview with a radio program, Kim said the two issues are separate. He pointed out the tourist killing is an inter-Korean issue, whereas the removal of North Korea from the U.S. list of terrorism sponsors and economic and energy aid to the North are matters that affect all members of the six-party framework.

Kim made his comments after some in the government proposed suspension of aid for the North. They insisted that Seoul withhold the aid until the recent killing is resolved, citing Tokyo's refusal to provide aid to the North until the impoverished country cooperates with investigations into its abduction of Japanese citizens.

However, Kim noted the situations are a little different given Japan raised their issue at the start of the six-party talks, but the killing occurred when the talks were already well under way.