The government has taken a cautious attitude toward a North Korean envoy’s remarks expressing the North’s willingness for dialogue.

Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-seok on Friday told a regular news briefing that it is premature to evaluate the envoy’s remarks, adding that it is uncertain what China and the North discussed during Vice Marshall Choe Ryong-hae’s meeting with Chinese officials.

The spokesman said that it is important for the North to gain trust from the international community and show significant change.

He stressed that North Korea should halt acts of provocation and engage in dialogue with an attitude that can be trusted by South Korea and the international community.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Tae-young also told a regular news briefing that the government will monitor the situation further, delaying commenting on how Choe’s visit to China will affect inter-Korean relations.