South Korea called on North Korea denuclearization commitments that

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should show sincere commitment to denuclearization before resuming six-party nuclear talks, South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.

For the two estranged Koreas to mend the ties, Pyongyang should also take responsible measures over a series of acts Seoul has denounced as provocative, Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung told reporters.

Her remarks were made in response to a recent visit to China by top DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly expressed hope to resume long-stalled talks aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for aid.

The foreign ministry here said South Korea will "attentively" watch how the trip would affect inter-Korean relations down the road.

The six-party talks, involving China, the United States, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas, were last held in December 2008. The DPRK, which pulled out of the talks in 2009, has expressed its wish to return to the negotiating table while revealing a new uranium enrichment facility.

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