The government has proposed to North Korea that the two Koreas hold working-level Red Cross talks at Mount Geumgang in the North on Friday.

Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters that South Korean Red Cross President Yoo Chong-ha made the proposal in a letter sent to his North Korean counterpart, Jang Jae-on, on Monday.

Asked about what the government plans to do if the North requests humanitarian assistance at the working-level talks, Chun said it would be inappropriate to make assumptions about issues that might be discussed. He only said that the South would make requests regarding humanitarian issues, including families separated between the two Koreas.

Chun stressed that the government regards the reunions of separated families as an issue of utmost importance.