Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae says the current situation over the suspended Gaeseong Industrial Complex should serve as an opportunity to build cross-border trust.

The minister made the remark on Wednesday at a forum hosted by the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, expressing optimism the situation can serve as a turning point in inter-Korean ties.

He said North Korea caused the Gaeseong situation, adding it would have been better if it had not occured.

He also raised issue with North Korea citing South Korean media reports that called the Gaeseong complex as the North's "dollar box" as the reason behind the complex shutdown. Ryoo said no matter how important inter-Korean relations may be, South Korea's freedom of expression and media cannot be obstructed.

He said South Korea's national identity comes before its ties with the North, and this principle cannot be compromised.

Regarding other inter-Korean concerns such as resuming the South's tour program to the North's Mount Geumgang resort and lifting sanctions on inter-Korean exchanges, the minister said the Gaeseong complex is the problem at hand and it's the order of business to focus on the Gaeseong issue first.