SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s unification ministry proposed on Thursday to hold a working-level talk with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the Kaesong industrial park.

"We make an official offer to the DPRK to hold a working-level talk and provide humanitarian aid to ROK's workers in Kaesong complex. DPRK should reply to our offer until April 26 morning," the ministry said in a formal statement on Thursday.

"We will have to take important measures if DPRK refuses the offer," he added.

ROK Wednesday planned to extend financial support to ROK's companies that have factories at the Kaesong industrial park as their businesses have been suspended since April 9 when the DPRK prohibited reportedly around 53,000 DPRK workers from working at the industrial zone.