ROK says to make stern response to DPRK provocations

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea said Monday that it will make stern response to possible provocation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which fired short-range projectiles a day earlier.

Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told a press briefing that the government will sternly deal with DPRK provocations while closely monitoring changes in the DPRK's attitude and situations.

Lim, however, said Seoul will maintain its position that it will seek to build trust through cooperation and dialogue with the DPRK.

His comments came a day after the DPRK fired short-range projectiles, presumed to be tactical missiles, into east waters. The five projectiles were launched from the Wonsan area in east DPRK into a northeasterly direction.

It marked the DPRK's second missile launch in 2015, after firing anti-ship missiles on Feb 6 in waters off the Wonsan area.

Meanwhile, Lim said it would be hard for the family reunion event to be held in the Lunar New Year holiday that falls in mid-February in 2015.

South Korea offered to hold talks with the DPRK in January to discuss all issues of mutual concern, including the reunion of Korean families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, but the DPRK has kept mum about it.

Given the necessary preparations for the event, including selecting families to meet and confirming life and death, it would be actually impossible for the reunion to be held in mid-February.

The spokesman urged Pyongyang to respond to Seoul's dialogue offer as early as possible to hold the reunion event even after the Lunar New Year holiday.