South Korea has urged the DPRK to seek peace talks and reconciliation on Thursday, which marks the 17th anniversary of the North-South Joint Declaration, Seoul's state-run Yonhap news agency reported.

The anniversary came in the wake of heightened tensions sparked by the DPRK's frequent nuclear and missile tests, and the reactions of the US military and South Korea.

"By respecting and implementing the joint declaration, the two Koreas should carry out a spirit of seeking peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean reconciliation," said Seoul's unification ministry.

The DPRK celebrateing the 9th anniversary of the North-South Joint Declaration ‍on June 15, 2009. /VCG Photo

The North-South Joint Declaration is a landmark acknowledgement of a historic summit held in Pyongyang on June 15, 2000 between DPRK's late leader Kim Jong Il and South Korea's former president Kim Dae-jung. The declaration highlighted the importance of promoting mutual understanding, developing inter-Korean relations and achieving peaceful reunification. 

Pyongyang praised the joint declaration in a statement released by the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Country (CPRC) on Wednesday, saying it "was adopted to reflect the noble intention and will of all Koreans."

However, the statement also noted that "the glorious June 15 era has completely gone," as it accused the US of interfering in the Korean Peninsula issues and Seoul of being confrontational towards Pyongyang.