Summary of inter-Korean news this week

NK weekly-inter-Korean news

Summary of inter-Korean news this week

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.

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(LEAD) Unification minister calls on N. Korea to accept S. Korea's offer for dialogue channel

SEOUL -- Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho on Friday called on North Korea to respond to South Korea's offer for an official dialogue channel, stressing that South Korea does not seek unification by absorption.

Kim made the call a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed to North Korea the establishment of a working-level dialogue channel that can "take up any issue" in an address marking Liberation Day.

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Defense minister nominee says open to all means to respond to N.K. threats

SEOUL -- Defense Minister nominee Kim Yong-hyun said Friday he was open to all means to respond to North Korea's nuclear threats, while reaffirming that the alliance with the United States remains the basis in dealing with such threats.

Kim made the remarks after being questioned on the possibility of South Korea developing nuclear weapons of its own amid persistent domestic calls for such arms to deter North Korea.

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(2nd LD) Yoon unveils vision for 'freedom-based unification,' proposes dialogue with N. Korea

SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a vision for unification with North Korea on Thursday, pledging to expand outside information in the reclusive nation and proposing an official dialogue channel that can "take up any issue."

Yoon made the remark in an address marking Liberation Day, which celebrates the 1945 end of Japan's colonial rule, saying, "Complete liberation remains an unfinished task" as the Korean Peninsula still remains divided.

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N. Korea slams S. Korea to divert public attention over flood damage: unification ministry

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un took swipe at South Korean media reports on flood damage in the North in an apparent attempt to divert public attention from the emergency situation, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday.

During a visit to flood-hit areas of Uiju County in the northwestern province of North Phyongan last week, Kim lashed out at South Korean media reports that floods in areas along the Amnok River generated massive casualties.

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(LEAD) N. Korea sends some 240 trash-filled balloons toward S. Korea: JCS

SEOUL/UIJEONGBU, South Korea -- North Korea has sent around 240 balloons carrying trash toward South Korea and about 10 of them landed in the South, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

As of 10 a.m., there had been no balloons detected floating midair, after North Korea launched such balloons Saturday, according to the South Korean military.

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