Minister separates N.K. aid from politics

South Korea believes in stabilizing relations with the North through dialogue and will not link humanitarian aid with political issues, Seoul’s unification minister said Tuesday. 

“Inter-Korean relations have been straining over the past two years due to North Korea’s measures,” Minister Hyun In-taek said during an annual parliamentary audit of government ministries. “Our government will keep to its principles, but carry out policies toward the North in a flexible manner.”

“Humanitarian measures will be carried out separately from political issues,” he said. 

Hyun asked the North to show a “matching effort” in easing tensions

The South Korean minister’s comments come shortly after the two Koreas resumed military dialogue for the first time since North Korea allegedly torpedoed a South Korean warship in March, killing 46 young sailors.