Civilian Exchanges with N.Korea to Continue

Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik says he will continue allowing civilian exchanges between the two Koreas, despite international condemnation of North Korea's rocket launch last week.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Yu added, however, that he will have to postpone earlier plans to expand official exchanges with Pyongyang.

He was referring to doubts among some analysts over the effectiveness of international efforts during the past two decades to disarm North Korea, including the six-party talks.

Yu called the six-party talks, which have been suspended for over three years, an irreplaceable platform at the moment, but urged participating countries to come up with strategies to avoid the vicious cycle created by rewarding Pyongyang for merely refraining from provocations.