The government says though North Korea has launched another ballistic missile it will maintain the principle of strongly addressing the North’s provocations while flexibly considering inter-Korean exchanges at the private level.
 
Unification Ministry Spokesman Lee Duk-haeng unveiled the stance on Monday during a news briefing when asked if there will be changes in the government’s North Korea policy in the wake of the latest provocation.
 
Lee cited that the foreign and defense ministries have condemned the North’s latest missile launch and have vowed to respond sternly to such provocative acts.
 
He was quick to add that along with that principle, the government will also consider private exchanges based on its belief that inter-Korean ties, contact and visiting the North are important.
 
On the possibility that tours to Mount Geumgang in the North will resume, Lee reaffirmed that the government will consider the move once conditions regarding the North’s nuclear issue make headway.
 
The North severed all inter-Korean communication channels in protest after South Korea suspended operations of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in February of last year. Since then, the Unification Ministry has been seeking to hold contact with the North, having liaison officers in the truce village of Panmunjeom seek communication every day at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The North has yet to respond.

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