Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong says that North Korea’s leadership is stable.

The minister told reporters Monday that based on North Korean news outlets’ reports, he thinks North Korea’s leadership is functioning normally.

He expected the North to understand the South Korean government’s sincerity and genuine intentions and return to dialogue next year. Kim added that Seoul will continue to propose talks to Pyongyang despite the North’s harsh criticism.

In response to a question about the forces behind the North’s hostile policies against the South, Kim answered that many experts think that the North Korean military is leading the charge.