The South Korean government has no plans to lift its so-called “May 24” sanctions on North Korea, the country’s unification minister insisted on Thursday.

In comments made to lawmakers, Cho Myoung-gyon sought to clarify a statement by foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha yesterday, in which she appeared to suggest Seoul was planning to relax its unilateral sanctions against the North.

“No detailed review” into lifting the measures had been made, Cho told National Assembly members, in comments carried by the Yonhap News Agency.

He did, however, appear to leave the possibility for a relaxation in the future.

“Still, in seeking inter-Korean