The presidential office has accused North Korea of trying to force submission and humiliation on South Korea after rare high-level talks between the two Koreas were canceled.

A presidential office official made the remark to reporters Tuesday regarding the two-day meeting that was set to open in Seoul Wednesday before being called off over failure to agree on the level of chief delegates.

The official said it is basic for negotiating parties to select chief delegates with sincerity and earnestness and based on mutual respect.

He noted that since joining the United Nations, the North has held many contacts with other countries and the selection of delegation heads was never an issue.

The official said that it is not desirable for the North to impose submission and humiliation on the South in negotiating details for government-level talks, despite abiding by international standards when holding talks with officials of other countries.