South Korea is emphasizing mutual respect between the two Koreas after the North Korean media strongly criticized President Moon Jae-in for giving credit to Washington over the resumption of inter-Korean talks. 

In a regular media briefing Monday, Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said it is important for the South and the North to pursue the improvement of their bilateral relations based on mutual understanding and respect. 

The spokesman was responding to the harsh criticisms by North Korean media against President Moon Jae-in’s New Year press conference last Wednesday, in which the South Korean president said the resumption of high-level inter-Korean talks is partially an outcome of international sanctions on the regime led by the U.S. 

The North Korean media outlets called Moon’s remarks “thoughtless” and “disappointing,” saying they are “throwing cold water” on a reconciliatory mood between Seoul and Pyongyang. 

They also threatened that the North may cancel its decision to participate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, saying the trains and buses that will carry the North Korean delegation to the South are still in the North.

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