South Korea Wednesday left open the possibility of holding further talks with North Korea to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Pyongyang amid easing tensions between the two sides.



Following weeks of military standoffs, the two Koreas struck a deal Tuesday to end the hostilities and work for better ties through a series of measures, including increased civilian exchanges between the sides.





Jeong Joon-hee, spokesman of the Unification Ministry (Yonhap)



Nearly all inter-Korean projects have been suspended since Seoul slapped sanctions on Pyongyang over its 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship, which claimed the lives of 46 South Korean sailors.



Without an apology from Pyongyang, Seoul has refused to lift the sanctions.



"On the issue of the May 24 (sanctions), if government-level talks are held and various sub-meetings are held within thatframework, I believe it will be the North, which has an interest in the issue, that will bring it up," Jeong Joon-hee, spokesman of the Unification Ministry, said during a press briefing.



"I think it's an issue that could totally be handled through dialogue then."



In Tuesday's deal, the two sides agreed to hold another round of talks in Seoul or Pyongyang in the near future.



The ministry later stressed that the government's position on the sanctions has not changed, saying the North should first take "responsible measures."



Along with an apology, South Korea has demanded the North promise to prevent similar incidents and punish those responsible for the sinking.



Last weekend's marathon talks leading up to the agreement did not touch upon the sanctions issue, according to South Korean officials.



The sanctions include