S. Korea sees eventual easing of tension

Relations with North Korea are likely to ease eventually despite current tensions, a high-ranking South Korean official said Sunday. "The door to dialogue remains open," the official, requesting anonymity told the Yonhap news agency. "Inter-Korean relations are rather tense now but won't remain the same forever. … It is important to make strides even if they are small at this moment." The North asserted last month that Seoul's negotiators had "begged" for summit talks and offered financial aid to get them, which the South denies. South Korea said the goal of a meeting would be a North Korean apology for sinking a navy ship and shelling an island last year. Sunday's statement indicates South Korea is open to improving relations in the future, but "the environment is not ripe for dialogue yet," the official said.