South Korea's Unification Ministry, responsible for relations with North Korea, put the burden on Pyongyang.

WSJ: North Korea Suspends Operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which is responsible for relations with North Korea, had no immediate comment.

WSJ: North Korea Suspends Operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex

Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said that the two sides needed to reach an agreement through direct talks.

CNN: Two Koreas to discuss reunions for split families

Early on Monday, South Korea's Unification Ministry said efforts to contact the North via the hotline had been unsuccessful.

BBC: US-South Korea drills begin amid North Korea tensions

Although this was fiercely rejected, officials at South Korea's unification ministry believe the North is considering a shift in strategy.

ECONOMIST: Rumblings from across the razor wire

"The South Korean government is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for all contingencies, " said Kim Ho-nyun, a South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman.

CNN: Workers stranded as North Korea closes border

South Korea's Defense and Unification Ministry said the 29-ton vessel was returning from its fishing operations and mistakenly crossed seven miles into North Korean waters in the process.

CNN: Report: N. Korea captures S. Korean boat

The Unification Ministry said Wednesday that South Korea has yet to discuss when to start making shipments, what aid items might be sent and how much it will send.

NPR: NKorea Criticizes SKorea Prez's 'Swish Of Skirt'

But a spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with the North, said what was needed at this stage was talks between both governments, which Seoul has been requesting.

BBC: North Korea 'to allow Kaesong managers back'

The Unification Ministry said a schedule for the return of staff from the Kaesong plant hadn't been completed, and that the South remains open to dialogue with the North to restart the plant.

WSJ: Seoul to Pull Workers out of North Korea

More than 840 South Koreans were set to cross the border Monday to Kaesong, which provides a badly-needed flow of hard currency to a country where many face food shortages, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry.

NPR: SKorea, US Begin Drills As NKorea Threatens War