North Korea has repeated its call on South Korea not to follow foreign forces' sanctions on the North, stressing that improving inter-Korean relations and sanctions pressure cannot be compatible.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, made the statement on Thursday, a day after President Moon Jae-in emphasized the need to establish peace and an economic community on the Korean Peninsula in a speech marking Liberation Day.

The paper said if Seoul cooperates with and follows sanctions pressure from outside forces, inter-Korean relations cannot move forward in the interests of the Korean people.

It added that while calling for a thorough implementation of sanctions on the North, the U.S. is applying pressure on the South Korean government, businesses and even civic groups not to engage in inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges.

The official paper then said the issue of improving inter-Korean ties is not a matter that can be resolved by gaining someone’s approval, but that it should be resolved independently through the unity of the Korean public.