President Park Geun-hye said Friday the focus should be on demanding North Korea talk on the government-level to break the inter-Korean deadlock, in an apparent message to the opposition criticizing the Seoul government for spurning Pyongyang’s civic-level overture.

“(The political circle and civic groups) should lend full support to the government and urge (the North) to talk government-to-government in order to build trust between the two Koreas, including on the matter of the Gaeseong industrial complex, and develop normal relations,” Park said during a luncheon with the press.

Earlier this week, the Unification Ministry rejected the North’s offer to host a joint gathering to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 inter-Korean joint declaration. The South also rebuffed the North’s suggestion that they discuss how to normalize the industrial park through a visit by South Korean business representatives. 

It instead reiterated its call for the North to accept its proposal on May 14 that they hold government-level talks on raw materials and finished products.

In April, Pyongyang barred South Korean access to the zone and pulled out its 53,000 workers. Seoul responded by withdrawing all its nationals. During the process, seven South Koreans remained to settle the issue of North Korean workers’ payment, sparking concerns over their safety.

“If North Korea was truly considerate of South Koreans in Gaeseong, they would not have pulled out their workers altogether overnight,” Park said.

Explaining that she was “extremely worried” about the safety of the South Koreans, Park said the North’s demand to only talk with civilians did nothing to guarantee their safety.

“And so, in order to solve this problem, (we) should not be making contradicting remarks that we should immediately send civic organizations (to the North) or approve the June 15 ceremony, but instead urge the North to start talking with the (Seoul) government in order to break this vicious cycle,” Park said.

The main opposition Democratic Party and civic groups have criticized the government for rebuffing the North’s gestures, saying the Park administration was reacting too rigidly to Pyongyang’s obvious willingness to talk.

The Seoul government, on the other hand, has remained resolute that the North cannot “skip over” how it has unilaterally broken agreements and suspended the operation of the complex.

During the luncheon held at Cheong Wa Dae, Park also discussed her pending state visit to China in June.

Describing how she has known Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a long time, Park said she plans to have a heart-to-heart talk with him in the upcoming summit.

“When it comes to North Korea’s nuclear problem, the role of China is immense. (We) will be discussing such matters and I am sure we will be able to understand each other and share a vision as we exchange views on matters of common interest.”

To a question whether she would find an opportunity to deliver a speech in Chinese during her visit, Park said she may do so if requested by many.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)