The Unification Ministry says the government will continue to urge North Korea to engage in inter-Korean dialogue.

In a regular news briefing on Monday, ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo expressed regrets that North Korea failed to respond to Seoul’s request for inter-Korean talks Monday.

Lee said the government stands firm on its belief that inter-Korean talks should continue in order to discuss issues concerning the joint industrial complex in the North's border city of Gaeseong.

The spokeswoman stressed that the government will review measures necessary for the proposal of another meeting and will do so after listening to the views of the complex’s tenant companies and political circles.

She said the safety of the South Korean employee detained at the complex for allegedly denouncing the Pyongyang regime is inseparable from other Gaeseong issues.