Seoul still open to talks with North Korea

South Korea president Lee Myung-bak on Monday said his country is willing to talk with North Korea if Pyongyang refrains from further provocation.

In a televised New Year address, Lee warned Seoul would strongly defend every inch of its terrority.

“Military adventurism must be discarded,” he said.

“The North must work towards peace and cooperation.”

Tensions have mounted between the two nations over the past year amid continued international concern over North Korea’s nuclear intentions.

Strained relations soured further when Pyongyang allegedly torpedoed a South Korean warship last March, killing 46 sailors.

The North also shelled the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, leaving four people dead

It was the first attack on a civilian area since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The North said it carried out the shelling after warning the South not to carry out live-fire drills near its shores.

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