SEOUL, Jan. 5-- South Korea's unification ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs said Monday that it is undesirable to predict the possible effect of the United States' additional sanctions against Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on inter-Korean ties.

Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told a press briefing that the foreign ministry already assessed the sanctions as a "proper response action," saying that it would "not be appropriate" for South Korea to predict the sanctions' effect on inter-Korean relations.

Lim added that Seoul will closely monitor Pyongyang's attitude and related situations down the road.

His comments came after U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order last Friday, which imposed new sanctions on the DPRK.

Washington has blamed the DPRK for the hacking of Sony Pictures, a claim which Pyongyang has repeatedly denied. Sony produced "The Interview," a comedy film about an assassination attempt on top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

The new sanctions came amid signs of thawing ties between Seoul and Pyongyang. The DPRK leader said in his New Year's address that "there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks" with South Korea, offering to hold an inter-Korean summit when the mood and circumstances are formed.

South Korea said in response that it can hold all forms of dialogue with Pyongyang, urging the DPRK to first respond positively to its offer to hold senior-level meetings to discuss all issues of mutual concern.