S. Korea Offers Condolences to N. Korea Over Apartment Building Collapse

FILE - A North Korean flag is seen on top of a tower near the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating North Korea from South Korea, about 55 km north of Seoul.

South Korea has offered condolences to North Korea for last week’s collapse of an apartment building in the capital, Pyongyang.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the South Korean Red Cross wrote, “We convey our deepest condolences over the loss of many lives in the accident.” The letter was sent via a dialogue channel at the truce border village of Panmunjom.

North Korea has not disclosed how many people were killed or injured in the collapse of the 23-story building.

However, South Korean officials say the casualties may amount to hundreds because the building had 92 housing units.

Earlier, North Korea offered condolences to South Korea for the sinking of ferry Sewol that left more than 300 people, mostly high school students, dead or missing.

The exchange of condolences comes during heightened tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang over reports that North Korea may be preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA’s Korean service.