South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday morning replied to North Korea’s request for military talks by reiterating its denuclearization-first policy.

The MND emphasized North Korea’s responsibility for increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to its nuclear and missile tests.

North Korea’s Ministry of People’s Armed Forces made its request on Saturday, suggesting talks to build trust and prevent possible conflicts.

“We clearly conveyed that North Korea should show practical action as well as intent to denuclearize if they sincerely want peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” the MND spokesperson told journalists at the regular press briefing.