Unification Minister Hyun In-taek says North Korea must be committed and sincere in order for talks between the two Koreas to resume.

Hyun told reporters after briefing President Lee Myung-bak on the ministry’s plans for the coming year that inter-Korean talks are necessary, in principle, but that they should be constructive and in-depth enough to adequately address key issues.

Hyun said that the key issues affecting inter-Korean relations include the North’s responsible actions in regards to its sinking of the South Korean “Cheonan” naval vessel and its artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island.

Other key conflicts mentioned by the minister include North Korean humanitarian issues, including those related to families separated by the Korean War, and the denuclearization of the communist state.