North Korean state-run outlets on Tuesday dismissed South Korea’s 2019 plans for the development of inter-Korean relations as “empty talk,” in rhetoric that comes days before a high-stakes U.S.-ROK summit in Washington and amid a broader freeze in DPRK-ROK exchanges.

The commentaries, carried by the externally-focused Uriminzokkiri and Arirang-Meari outlets, come in response to the South Korean Ministry Unification’s (MOU) annual plan for the year, reported to the National Assembly in late March.

That proposal saw the MOU set ambitious goals in seven areas, including the “resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the establishment of peace system,” as well as inter-Korean