The Unification Ministry said Monday that North Korea has yet to respond to Seoul’s proposal to hold Red Cross talks to discuss inter-Korean family reunions.
 
The ministry’s spokesman Baek Tae-hyun told reporters that Seoul hopes that the North will swiftly respond to the sincere offer.
 
The North has also not responded to Seoul’s request to hold bilateral military talks to discuss suspending hostile acts in the border region.
 
Meanwhile, Baek said the ministry is trying to confirm a media report that a North Korean family of five who fled from the North all committed suicide after they were arrested by Chinese authorities and were on the verge of being repatriated.
 
He said the ministry is trying to confirm the report with related agencies based on the basic stance that Seoul exerts best efforts for the swift and safe defection of North Korean escapees who wish to come to South Korea.

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