South Korea rejects North's de-escalation offer
Iran Press TV
Tue Jul 1, 2014 9:23AM GMT
South Korea has rejected North Korea's recent offer to suspend the military hostilities between Pyongyang and Seoul.
South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said in a parliamentary session that there is something in the offer that cannot be accepted.
While he did not elaborate, it is speculated that the unacceptable issue is North Korea's request from Seoul to cancel its joint military drills with the United States this summer.
North Korea on Monday proposed the suspension of hostile military activities with South Korea starting later this week. North's National Defense Commission said on Monday that Pyongyang was ready to halt all acts of verbal provocation and slander from Friday, calling on Seoul to reciprocate.
Pyongyang also asked South Korea to put an end to its annual military drills with the United States scheduled for August.
The call came only a day after North fired two short-range missiles into the East Sea.
It also came ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Seoul to discuss issues including Pyongyang's nuclear program.
The two Koreas are technically at war since the 1950-53 war, which ended in a truce.
Pyongyang accuses its southern neighbor and Washington of "rehearsing for an invasion." The two allies began their joint military exercises at the end of February despite Pyongyang's calls to call off such drills.
HRM/HJL
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