SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says that he wants “genuine” talks with North Korea, days after Pyongyang refused any further dialogue with Seoul.
Tension on the Korean peninsula spiked last year due to two deadly attacks blamed on Pyongyang — including November’s artillery barrage that killed four people on a front-line South Korean island.
The countries’ military officers met but failed to reach a breakthrough earlier this month, with Pyongyang threatening not to hold any more military talks with Seoul.
On Sunday, Lee told reporters that South Korea is ready for “genuine” talks with North Korea to promote a real change in ties between the countries.
The presidential Blue House also quotes Lee as saying that North Korea must change its behavior.
