Park urges N. Korea to come forward for talks with S. Korea

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye urged North Korea Tuesday to come forward for talks with South Korea to help build trust and lay the groundwork for the potential unification of the divided Korean Peninsula.

"Our government has proposed several times that North Korea come forward for dialogue," Park said in a session meant to promote understanding of unification among South Koreans and foreigners. "Now, it's time for North Korea to open its closed door and come forward."

Park has made similar overtures toward North Korea in recent months to help improve bilateral relations, which are currently at a low point.

South Korea proposed that the two Koreas hold high-level talks in August to discuss the reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and other bilateral issues.

North Korea did not respond.

Park's latest overture came a day after North Korea fired a short-range missile into the sea off the country's east coast, the latest show of force against Seoul and Washington.

Monday's firing marked the 18th time that North Korea has launched missiles or rockets this year, with the number of projectiles fired totaling 108, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The latest launch came days after South Korea and the United States wrapped up their annual joint military drill, which North Korea condemns as a rehearsal for an invasion. Seoul and Washington have repeatedly said such exercises are purely defensive in nature.

entropy@yna.co.kr
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