unification

March 25 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s unification minister called for a shift in policy toward “peaceful coexistence” with North Korea, emphasizing that the approach does not mean abandoning unification but rather institutionalizing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young made the remarks Wednesday during an academic conference co-hosted by the ministry and a state-run research institute, where officials and experts discussed ways to end hostilities and establish a lasting peace framework.

Chung said Seoul should redesign its Korean Peninsula policy with peaceful coexistence at the center, arguing that formalizing stable relations between the two Koreas could open the door to broader dialogue.

“This is not about giving up unification, but about institutionalizing peace,” Chung said. “If peaceful coexistence is established politically, economically and legally, any issue between the two sides can be addressed.”

He added that discussions among relevant countries on building a peace regime, alongside a basic inter-Korean agreement, would be key to resolving long-standing tensions.

Chung also described North Korea’s recent push for a “two hostile states” framework as a structural shift that should be turned into an opportunity to move beyond confrontation.

“We must end the hostility and conflict that have devastated inter-Korean relations and create a relationship where there is no need to fight,” he said.

The minister avoided directly using the term “North Korea” during his remarks, instead referring to “the North” and its formal state name, a choice some analysts interpret as reflecting a more conciliatory tone.

Chung reiterated that the Korean Peninsula remains technically at war and said the starting point for peace is formally ending the conflict. He stressed that improving relations between Pyongyang and Washington would be essential and urged North Korea not to miss opportunities for dialogue with the United States.

He also said the South Korean government would act as a “pacesetter” to help sustain momentum for U.S.-North Korea talks while fulfilling its role as a key stakeholder in peninsula affairs.

At the same event, former intelligence chief Seo Hoon underscored the continued relevance of a “top-down” approach centered on leader-level diplomacy.

“The more uncertain and difficult the conditions, the more powerful summit diplomacy becomes,” Seo said, calling for a potential fourth meeting between U.S. and North Korean leaders.

Seo noted that past summit diplomacy led to repeated exchanges between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, arguing that even limited agreements or renewed dialogue could be meaningful steps forward.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260325010007733

March 13 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young warned Friday that preparing for war could increase the likelihood of conflict on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing that “peace itself is the path forward.”

Chung made the remarks during the third meeting of the Korean Peninsula Peace Strategy Advisory Group held at the Inter-Korean Talks Headquarters in Seoul.

“People often speak lightly of war and repeat the phrase that if you want peace, you must prepare for war,” Chung said. “But preparing for war only raises the chances of war.”

Chung also pointed to growing global instability, citing the upcoming U.S.-China summit and tensions related to the Iran crisis.

“The Korean Peninsula sits on unstable ground and tends to sway whenever global events shift,” he said.

Noting the global interconnectedness of security issues, Chung said the distance between Seoul and Tehran is about 6,700 kilometers but developments in the Middle East can still affect the Korean Peninsula.

“A war 6,700 kilometers away is shaking the Korean Peninsula,” he said, adding that the situation underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Experts attending the meeting suggested that North Korea’s recently proposed “two-state theory” should be reinterpreted in light of current conditions.

They proposed linking it to the inter-Korean confederation stage of South Korea’s long-standing National Community Unification Plan and called for the creation of a new peace roadmap for the Korean Peninsula reflecting changing security dynamics.

Participants also urged the government to shift from a “pace-maker” role to a more proactive “peace-maker” role by expanding diplomatic engagement.

They recommended exploring multilateral approaches involving neighboring countries and international organizations in addition to dialogue between the United States and China.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260313010004062