Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - North Korea has abandoned the negotiating table with Seoul after two days of talks. Pyongyang has accused the South of having "sinister" reasons and advancing "unreasonable demands". Seoul has demanded that the North recognize its responsibility in the bombing of Yeongpyeongthe and the attack on a South Korean ship the Cheonan, which killed dozens of sailors. Pyongyang reiterated that it is not responsible for the sinking, and accused Seoul of having caused the bombing of the island by having planned military exercises in waters whose sovereignty is in discussion.
It was the first time that authorities from both countries have met, in the village of Panmunjom, since the bombing of the southern island of Yeonpyeong in November 2010. (11/23/2010 Pyongyang bombs South Korean island: houses destroyed, one dead).
In the first two days of talks the problem of reunification of families separated by war was also discussed. But it was not possible to go beyond the stage of preliminary talks. And the delegations failed to agree on the agenda of any talks at a higher level or on the date of any future meeting.
Seoul’s Defence Ministry said that the North’s delegation "has unilaterally abandoned the talks table." The South said the readiness for high level dialogue between military delegations is confirmed, on condition that the North "take steps responsible" for the attacks of 2010. The talks are also blocked on procedural matters. Seoul calls for a ministerial level, or "four star" general, while Pyongyang prefers a lower level.