Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong is urging North Korea to stop denouncing the South Korean government and president.

The minister told an international academic symposium held in Seoul Wednesday that the South Korean government will not reciprocate North Korea's criticisms. He added Seoul will continue to seek cooperation from Pyongyang in resolving inter-Korean issues through dialogue.

Kim said South Korea has never denied joint declarations adopted at the inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2004.

He asked the North to unconditionally return to dialogue to discuss how to implement the October fourth joint declaration if Pyongyang regards its implementation as a pressing issue.