N. Korea proposes parliamentary talks

North Korea proposed parliamentary talks with the South to discuss ways to ease tension on the peninsula, drawing varied reactions from political parties here.

“What is essential in the inter-Korean dialogue is dialogue between the authorities with real power and responsibility,” the North’s Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland said in an English-language statement carried by the North’s Korean Central News Agency, calling for talks between legislators of the two sides.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry, the ruling Grand National Party and the conservative Liberty Forward Party dismissed the proposal as an“offensive” aimed at inciting conflict within the South.

The main opposition Democratic Party, however, suggested pushing for the inter-Korean parliamentary talks.

In a Korean-language statement issued earlier Friday, the North Korean committee also called for the resumption of South Korean tours to its Mount Geumgang resort and the border town of Gaeseong.

“We plead to the South Korean government to discard unnecessary suspicions and prejudices, and promptly accept the proposals for inter-Korean talks,” the committee said.

“Peace and reunification will come closer when we restart the tours and revitalize inter-Korean exchange programs.”

The committee did not mention the mountain resort or Gaeseong in its English statement, but said the South “should not block but actively encourage free visit, contact and cooperation” between the two Koreas.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)