North Korean externally-focused media on Wednesday dismissed South Korean plans to improve inter-Korean relations through facilitating the resumption of working-level nuclear talks with the U.S.

In a Korean-language commentary written by Cha Sang Yol, online outlet Meari said the South Korean government must understand the root causes of tension before seeking to improve its frosty relations with the North.

“The North-South relationship has not moved a step forward and has been unable to get out of deadlock due to [Seoul’s] behavior of succumbing to foreign powers,” Meari said.

“It is naturally right for the South Korean authorities to take the