South Korea in talks with North Korea to end sanctions

South Korea government is willing to discuss North Korea's demand for an end to sanctions imposed over a naval attack that took place on 26 March 2010.

The attack was carried by a North Korean torpedo near Baengnyeong Island, in the Yellow Sea, which sunk a South Korean naval vessel and killed 46 people. Although an international investigation group concluded that the sinking of the warship was the result of the torpedo attack, the United Nations Security Council could not identify the attacker.

Although North Korea denied the attack, South Korea imposed sanctions on tourism, trade and private aid on 24 May 2010.

the May 24 issue will be raised by the North which has an interest in it, and I think it can be handled through dialogue

"When talks get under way, we think the May 24 issue will be raised by the North which has an interest in it, and I think it can be handled through dialogue," South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee told a briefing.

South Korea's new willingness to restablish relations with its North partner came a day after both nations announced an agreement over a series of points that marked a shift in the relationship between both nations.

Read more: North and South Korea reach deal to lower tensions

The deal followed marathon talks between high-level officials at the "truce village" of Panmunjom inside the demilitarised zone (DMZ), which came after a brief exchange of fire at the heavily guarded border last Thursday.

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