The government’s efforts to hold an inter-Korean meeting on Monday have collapsed after North Korea failed to respond to a proposal for the talks.

Unification Vice Minister Hong Yang-ho appeared on a KBS TV program Sunday and reiterated Seoul’s stance that it would continue to seek dialogue with the North. He said he believes that if the two Koreas can agree to meet, they would be able to resolve any misunderstandings.

Hong’s comment suggests Seoul will push to resume inter-Korean dialogue in the coming days and actively consider holding the talks on a date proposed by the North.

Some observers are cautiously projecting that Seoul may attempt to seek the release of a detained South Korean worker in the North through a channel other than the inter-Korean talks.

The government had sought to open the South-North talks last Friday. The meeting was delayed after the North failed to respond to the revised date for the meeting.