South Korea on Thursday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show "a sincere attitude" toward inter-Korean dialogue and inter-Korean relations.

The remark came in response to Pyongyang's recent proposal on unconditional dialogue with South Korea as soon as possible.

"We have emphasized that it is important for North Korea (DPRK) to show a sincere attitude toward inter-Korean dialogue and inter- Korean relations," Seoul's foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young- sun said in a regular press briefing here.

"Related agencies are studying the background and motives behind the proposal," Kim added.

The spokesman repeated the government's position that Pyongyang's sincerity needs to be displayed by taking real actions.

Kim said the DPRK made provocations recently and revealed its uranium enrichment facility, which go against the expectations of the international community, so its sincerity must be backed up by specific actions.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula were heightened after South Korea and DPRK exchanged artillery fire near Yonphyong Island on Nov. 23, which resulted in the death of four South Koreans. Recently, Seoul had also conducted a series of military drills.

The DPRK said in a statement Wednesday that it hopes to actively enter dialogue and negotiation with South Korea "on the way to demolish misunderstanding and distrust as well as achieve peace and prosperity," a latest conciliatory gesture since tension on the Korean peninsula has run high after artillery clash in Yellow Sea between the two sides.

Kim reiterated that his country is open to dialogue, but stressed that, on the back of warship sinking and island shelling last year, Pyongyang should take a more responsible attitude and appropriate measures to ease tensions between the two sides.

Pyongyang also need to articulate clearly its determination to fulfil its international obligations of denuclearization, since nuclear disarmament acts the major issue in inter-Korean relations and dialogue, Kim said.

Meanwhile, three leading DPRK newspapers issued a joint New Year editorial earlier, stressing the country's will to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK is "consistent in its stand and will to achieve peace in Northeast Asia and the denuclearization of the whole of the Korean peninsula," said the editorial jointly issued by the newspapers Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi.

The editorial said the confrontation between the North and South should be defused as early as possible and the DPRK would launch a more determined campaign to improve inter-Korean relations and reunify the country under the slogan "Let all Koreans in the North, South and abroad join efforts and bring a new phase of independent reunification."

It urged South Korean authorities to scrap the policy of confrontation and respect the June 15 Joint Declaration and the Oct. 4 Declaration. It also called for "active efforts" to create an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation between the North and South by placing their common interests above anything else.