South Korea's Unification Ministry said on the 26th that it "regrets that North Korea did not respond to our government's efforts for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula," in response to the North's 9th Party Congress.
The Ministry stated that "North Korea announced at its 9th Party Congress that it would maintain its position of 'two hostile states,'" adding that "peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is the only path to ensure the present and future security of all members of both South and North Korea."
The Ministry continued, "The government will firmly uphold its three principles toward North Korea: respecting the North Korean system, not pursuing unification by absorption, and refraining from any hostile acts." It added, "We will not be swayed by North Korea's attitude, and will patiently and consistently pursue our policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula."