Unification Minister Hyun In-taek says he is skeptical about the sincerity of North Korea’s proposals for the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.

Sitting down with a South Korean daily for its Thursday edition, the minister emphasized that the two Koreas need to hold future-oriented dialogue to improve relations, not hold talks just for talks’ sake.

Hyun said that South and North Korea must make progress and produce results on the issues of North Korea’s nuclear program and recent military provocations before other inter-Korean matters are dealt with.

He then called on Pyongyang to positively respond to Seoul’s counter-proposal on these issues.

He added that the two Koreas, not outside countries, must take the initiative in resolving inter-Korean affairs.

North Korea has recently made a series of proposals for the unconditional reopening of inter-Korean dialogue.