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South Korea's parliament called last month for a resumption
of negotiations on various issues including North Korea's human
rights, and families still separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
But an official at South Korea's Ministry of Unification, which
handles inter-Korean affairs, said the North had rejected the
proposal, without giving a reason.
South Korea has also proposed inter-Korean talks be held this
month, but North Korea has not yet responded to that specific
offer.
The rejection of the South Korean parliament's call comes during
a period of heightened tension between North Korea and the
United States, which is South Korea's main ally.
North Korea on Thursday warned the United States of a "war
disaster" if it did not withdraw sanctions imposed by Washington
following a crippling hacking attack on Sony Pictures
Entertainment.
North Korea has denied it had any involvement in the hacking.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year's address he
was open to a summit with the South.
(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by James Pearson, Robert
Birsel)
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