South Korean speaker urges reopening of talks with North Korea

South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has urged the reopening of dialogue with North Korea, saying channels of communication must stay open despite Pyongyang’s recent rejection of talks.

Woo made the appeal on Wednesday during the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland, Yonhap News Agency reported.

He noted that both sides had halted loudspeaker broadcasts, propaganda leaflets and jamming signals, describing these measures as symbolic of confrontation and hostility.

“Despite the difficulties, channels for dialogue must remain open,” Woo said.

His comments came two days after Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed Seoul’s offer for talks and criticised President Lee Jae-myung’s efforts to ease military tensions.

Since taking office last month, President Lee has suspended border propaganda broadcasts and called on civic groups to stop anti-Pyongyang activities, signalling a commitment to restoring dialogue.

Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang would not engage with Seoul, accusing Lee of maintaining the same stance as his predecessor by adhering to the South Korea-U.S. alliance and pursuing confrontation.

Relations between the two Koreas remain strained, with formal talks stalled since 2019 after failed nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea.

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