hankyoreh

By Seok Jin-hwan, Blue House correspondent

President Park Geun-hye expressed "dismay" on June 14 over the cancellation of talks between North and South Korean authorities, but stressed the importance of the proper format for the talks.

"The format shows your mind-set and respect toward the other side," Park was reported as saying. "Form can dictate content."

Her remarks, made during a meeting at the Blue House on the morning of June 14 with former Chinese State Council member Tang Jiaxuan, were relayed by Blue House spokesperson Kim Haeng.

Kim also quoted Park as saying inter-Korean relations would "not be easy, but we will continue working," and asking that Beijing work with Pyongyang so that North and South could proceed with "real dialogue, not 'dialogue for the sake of dialogue.'"

Observers read the remarks as showing the government plans to continue working toward dialogue, but will also insist that Pyongyang's representative be of the appropriate rank - the issue that prompted the cancellation of the planned talks.

Park also said a recent summit between China and the US confirmed their resolute stance on the need for North Korean denuclearization.

"The international community, including China, needs to send a consistent message so that North Korea makes the right choice," she said.

Tang reportedly responded by expressing hope for "new interaction and cooperation between North and South Korea" and saying China was in favor of denuclearization, peace and stability, and dialogue-based problem solving.

He was also quoted as saying North Korea's nuclear program and testing were "not helpful to the development of relations with China," adding that Beijing was "sending North Korea the message that it will not acknowledge its status as a nuclear power."

After the meeting with Tang, Park attended a luncheon at the Blue House reception hall with around 240 invited persons of national merit and their family members.

During the luncheon, Park said, "There are many problems in need of resolution here and abroad, but I am certain that everything will work out if we follow the right path and stick to our principles."

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