(VOVworld) -  The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has called for efforts by the Republic of Korea (RoK) "to create a mood" to improve inter-Korean ties. The Rodong Shinmun newspaper quoted DPRK officials as saying "the improvement of inter-Korean relations is crucial to dealing with reunification matters”. According to the article, the top priority for bettering relations is that the RoK end its provocations of the DPRK. Pyongyang vowed to continue its active efforts in 2014 toward this goal. Its call came 5 days after it rejected Seoul's proposal to discuss reunions for families separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War.

A 96-year-old woman from DPRK meets her daughter from RoK during an inter-Korean temporary family reunion in 2010. (Photo: Reuters)

Earlier, in a televised New-Year speech, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said that Pyongyang will "create an atmosphere to ameliorate relations” with Seoul. But he added that the DPRK will consolidate its political power and self-defense ability in order to "smash any provocation" and guard its dignity.