South Korea has enough room to encourage civilian inter-Korean exchanges despite its punitive sanctions against North Korea, Seoul's point man on inter-Korean affairs said Friday.

Since May 2010, South Korea has banned most economic and cultural exchanges to punish the North for its deadly torpedoing of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March of that year.

Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said that South Korea will leave the sanctions intact until the North makes a sincere apology for the incident.

"There are many types of civilian inter-Korean exchanges even under the scheme of the so-called May 24 sanctions," Hong said in an annual parliamentary audit session.

His remarks came as some raised doubt whether South and North Korea's recent deal on easing military tension is seen as conflicting with Seoul's sanctions.

The two Koreas reached a landmark deal on Aug. 25 to make efforts to mend long-frayed inter-Korean ties and to increase civilian inter-Korean exchanges.

"South Korea has kept the stance of supporting civilian inter-Korean exchanges, but there have been lackluster exchanges due to the North's refusal to accept Seoul's move," Hong said.

In May, the government announced that it will encourage more civilian groups to promote exchanges in such non-political areas of cultural activities and sports as this year marks the 70th anniversary of division of the two Koreas. (Yonhap)