Rodong Sinmun today maintained the pace of its conciliatory rhetoric, reporting that South Korean society is embracing Pyongyang's advances. 

"South Chosun organizations and figures in all fields actively welcome and support our proposal, and are strongly urging the [South Korean] authorities not to miss the opportunity of improved North-South relations,�� the piece asserted.

This, the piece went on, reflects the desire of South Korean society, which "does not want confrontation within the Korean race and wants deteriorated North-South relations to improve as soon as possible," to open a ��new era of national unification and peaceful prosperity."

��It is important to actively create an atmosphere of reconciliation and unity,�� it declared. ��Our position on improving North-South relations is clear. Whether state or civil society, ruling or opposition party, no matter what class or level, we are not discriminating against anyone.��

Meanwhile, there has been no North Korean response to yesterday��s Ministry of Unification proposal for separated family reunions in late February.