Senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security Chun Young-woo says humanitarian support to the North could progress if Pyongyang shows sincerity towards resolving humanitarian issues.

Chun hinted Friday at a policy forum in Seoul that the issue of aid to North Korea could be linked with the issue of family reunions for people separated by the Korean War.

However, the senior secretary said that humanitarian support and political considerations are separate issues, adding that South Korea provided support to the vulnerable in North Korea even after the North sank a South Korean naval vessel in March 2010.

On denuclearization, Chun said North Korea must demonstrate sincerity. In particular, he said North Korea has to stop its uranium enrichment program and accept to being monitored by the international community in order for the six-party talks to resume.

He also said that North Korea will get a second chance solely by denuclearizing. He said whether North Korea will get that chance will be the key to deciding its future.