N.Korea 'Must Apologize Over Cheonan If Aid Is to Resume'

The future of inter-Korean relations depends on whether North Korea apologizes for sinking the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan, the presidential secretary for national strategy Kim Tae-hyo said Wednesday. He was speaking in a defense seminar held at the War Memorial of Korea on Wednesday.

The seminar was held under the co-sponsorship of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, the National Assembly Northeast Asia Peace and Security Forum, and the Ilmin International Relations Institute at Korea University.

Kim insisted the government's "firm principle" to subject North Korea to sanctions announced on May 24 "remains in place."

"If inter-Korean economic cooperation is to be possible, the North needs to admit its responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan and take responsible action," he said. "An apology for the sinking is a precondition to substantial humanitarian aid to the North." He added the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks is also dependent on how determined and sincere the North is in resolving the issues. 

The presidential office's position puts a dampener on hopes by some that the government will back down over the Cheonan and nuclear issues given recent inter-Korean discussions about humanitarian matters such as reunions of separated families and Seoul's offer of relief for North Korean flood victims.