South Korea has no intention of sacrificing its
"principle" for an apology from North Korea for last year's deadly attacks for the sake of the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue, Seoul's point man on cross-border affairs said Saturday.
Tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea continues to ignore the South's demand for an apology for two deadly military attacks -- the March 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship and the November shelling of Yeonpyeong Island --that killed 50 people.
"The government will stick with its principle that demands North Korea show responsible measures for the attacks on the Cheonan warship and Yeonpyeong Island ahead of inter-Korean dialogue," Unification Minister Hyun In-taek told a forum in
Seoul.
"Any dialogue overlooking North Korean provocations won't lead to peace on the Korean Peninsula. We reject such dialogue."
Still, few analysts believe that North Korea will accept the South's demand.
Pyongyang denies it sank the Cheonan warship, and claimed its bombardment of Yeonpyeong was provoked by South Korean military's artillery drill.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made his third trip to China this week, with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao explaining that Beijing invited Kim to study China's market-oriented reforms.
Referring to Kim's latest visit to China, Hyun said, "China achieved its prosperity through bold reforms and an opening up. I sincerely hope North Korea follows China's precedent.
"North Korea could see a bright future only if it adopts reforms and an opening up."