Anchor: North Korea is apparently willing to restart dialogue with relevant parties, but South Korea is highly dubious of Pyongyang’s intent considering its recent behavior, including harsh denunciations of President Park Geun-hye. Viewing Pyongyang’s sincerity as questionable, Seoul's Unification Ministry has rejected North Korea's offer to jointly celebrate the signing of the inter-Korean June 15th declaration and called on Pyongyang to change its words and action.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.

Report: Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-seok said Monday that Seoul is dubious of North Korea’s intentions. And he made it clear that the South will not accept the North's recent proposal to jointly celebrate the June 15th Joint Declaration. He added the North shouldn't be obsessed with the idea of holding the event together but instead come forward and sit down for working-level discussions the South suggested.

The spokesman argued the two Koreas must first revive severed military communication hotlines and resolve issues related to the return of South Korean companies' finished products and materials left behind at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea.

Kim also demanded the North control its words following its criticism of President Park Geun-hye. Referring to the president by name for the first time, North Korea's state-run media on Saturday reported that a military spokesman called Park "a puppet President" and criticized her for "reckless and thoughtless remarks" that "reveal (her) atrocious, confrontational true colors." Also on Saturday, the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, which is responsible for inter-Korean relations, said Park is "mentally deranged."

Kim said it is extremely regretful that North Korea has made such unrepeatable and unquotable remarks through official media. He said the North must immediately stop its denunciations and it must moderate its words and actions for South-North relations to improve.

The latest round of condemnation comes just as North Korea seemed to have softened its behavior and looked ready to join the six-party talks. North Korean special envoy Choe Ryong-hae pledged various forms of dialogue during his trip to Beijing last week. Regarding Choe's trip, Spokesman Kim said actions are more important than words and he hopes the North fulfills its international responsibilities and promises to the international community.

Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.