SEOUL, Jan. 2 -- South Korea has stuck to a position that all issues with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( DPRK) should be resolved through cooperation and dialogue, Seoul's Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said on Friday.

"The government of DPRK should come to the dialogue table without any preconditions if it has a sincere will to improve relations," the spokesman told a press briefing.

Lim's remarks came following DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year address Thursday that "there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks" with South Korea "if atmosphere and environment are created."

The DPRK leader said no faithful dialogue would be held in an environment where war rehearsals are being conducted, calling for the stop of annual military exercises jointly conducted by South Korea and the United States.

Commenting on the remarks, Lim said South Korea would respond to the DPRK's "unilateral" call for the stop of the joint exercise "based on principle."

Lim said South Korea would hold a dialogue with the DPRK " irrespective of dialogue form" for frank and effective discussion, noting that Seoul is open to all forms of dialogue to discuss issues of mutual concern.