North Korea snubs South's offer of Red Cross talks

North Korea on Thursday rejected South Korea's proposal to hold Red Cross talks to discuss regular reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. The North's Red Cross said in a message to its South Korean counterpart that an appropriate atmosphere has not been created for the proposed talks, according to the unification ministry. The ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, expressed regret over the North's rejection. The North's move came a day after South Korea proposed that the rival Koreas hold Red Cross talks with North Korea next week to discuss regular family reunions.