The Unification Ministry has dismissed the possibility of expanded inter-Korean exchanges saying that other than exchanges in sports, it is not possible to hold meaningful dialogue with North Korea at the current state.
 
A ministry official revealed the view on Tuesday when asked by reporters if the South is holding any other contact with the North other than in sports.
 
He said it should be understood that sports events are simply taking place in Pyongyang and Gangneung amid difficult conditions between the two Koreas. He went on to say that international sports competitions are held at a private level and therefore there are no channels through which the two Koreas can communicate.
 
Earlier on Monday, the South Korean women’s national soccer team arrived in Pyongyang via Beijing to compete in the Asian Cup qualifiers. The North Korean women’s ice hockey team, meanwhile, arrived in South Korea last Saturday and is taking part in the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Gangneung, Gangwon Province.

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