He recalled that after the joint statement was released the CPRK in a statement of its spokesman formally proposed the south side to have dialogue in order to realize the important proposal clarified in the joint statement and sent to it notices containing technical measures one after another.

He went on:

There is no ground whatsoever for the south side to refuse to accept the recent proposal for dialogue as it did not attach any conditionality to the dialogue and its date and venue, etc. are specified in it and it has sufficient modality and procedures for conducting the dialogue.

The south Korean authorities, however, have not shown any willingness to respond to this proposal under this and that pretext since the very outset. They are taking a negative stand towards it, repeating only the words that "there is no sincerity."

As regards the north side's step of good faith, they were compelled to agree with the issue of opening the Panmunjom Red Cross liaison channel but they took a cool attitude towards the restart of the work of the office of the Consultative Council for North-South Economic Cooperation, under absurd pretexts. They have not yet sent personnel of the south side to the office and barred the use of its building.

This made the north side feel uncomfortable though it made such proposal of good faith.

As far as "sincerity" is concerned, there is no such sincere proposal as the one advanced by the north as it clarified that it is ready to meet anyone anytime and anywhere without any precondition to tide over the grave situation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula and improve the north-south relations.

The south Korean authorities are talking about "counter-proposal" but the north has neither received any formal proposal from them nor known anything about it.

It is the stand of the north that the south side should come out for dialogue and discuss all the issues at the negotiating table, not making irrelevant remarks.

There is nothing the north and south sides cannot settle if they sit face to face open-heartedly.

The door of dialogue is open.

The south side would be well advised to have a proper stance, though belatedly, and honestly respond to the north side' proposal for dialogue and measures of good faith.