The DPRK has again called for South Korea to accept its proposal of resuming talks. Pyongyang says dialogue is the only way to defuse current tensions on the Korean peninsula and avoid the possibility of conflict.

The DPRK's Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea made an appeal for dialogue on Friday.

It says an environment for negotiations has already been created, and so South Korea has no reason for failing to respond positively to its proposal for wide-ranging dialogue.

It also says politicians in both countries should actively hold bilateral and multilateral negotiations. It says lawmakers of both countries should keep contact and hold negotiations with a view to settling what it called the grave situation that currently exists between the two countries.

Pyongyang also urged Seoul to stop blocking free visits, contact and cooperation between citizens of the two countries.

The DPRK called on all Koreans to thwart attempts of warlike forces to provoke war. The appeal says the US should not incite South Korea to escalate confrontation.

It also said all countries concerned and anyone who wants to see peace in the world should pay close attention to developments on the peninsula.

South Korea responded by calling the DPRK statement a propaganda offensive, citing the fact the two countries are currently discussing holding preliminary military talks next month.

Seoul also says that if the DPRK's offer of dialogue is a sincere one, then Pyongyang should take responsibility for last year's sinking of the ship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong island.