South Korea said Thursday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s rejection of the so- called "grand bargain," which Seoul proposed to Pyongyang as a measure to end the nuclear program, was regrettable, Xinhua reported.
"It is regrettable that North Korea (DPRK)'s state-run media voiced a negative response to our serious proposal," Seoul's foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young told a press briefing.
The remarks came after Pyongyang's official news agency KCNA on Wednesday called Seoul's offer "nothing more than a ridiculous proposal," and "not worthy of consideration."
The offer was earlier made by South Korean President Lee Myung- bak, who said South Korea would provide the DPRK with security assurance and other incentives once the country vows to dismantle key components of its nuclear program.
"The world should be in pursuit of a one-shot deal, rather than taking steps in negotiations," President Lee said.
With regard to the DPRK's response, however, the ministry spokesman further commented that it did not believe it was Pyongyang's formal response.
"Since we have not presented detailed contents of the grand bargain plan yet, we will continue efforts to attain the denuclearization of North Korea (DPRK) through it," Moon added.