Seoul's unification policy distinct from North Korea's, minister says
Quick Look
- South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated that Seoul's "peace-oriented two-state approach" differs from North Korea's "two hostile states" policy.
- The South Korean approach recognizes two sovereign states but not as foreign countries, aiming for unification.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young addressed the differences between Seoul's "peace-oriented two-state approach" and North Korea's "two hostile states" policy during a parliamentary committee session. The discussion stemmed from the recent release of the government's unification white paper.
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Wednesday that the "peace-oriented two-state approach" described in this year's unification white paper is fundamentally different from North Korea's "two hostile states" policy against South Korea.
During a parliamentary committee session, Chung said Seoul's approach recognizes the existence of two sovereign states on the Korean Peninsula while maintaining that inter-Korean ties are not relations between foreign countries.
"The South and the North are each sovereign states. But they are not foreign countries," Chung told lawmakers, explaining that Pyongyang's own two-state vision recognizes the South as "a foreign country and that we should live separately."
He rejected criticism that Seoul's concept amounts to abandoning its goal of achieving unification or violating the Constitution.
The paper, released Monday, outlines the Lee Jae Myung government's North Korea policy around three key principles: Seoul respects North Korea's system, does not pursue unification by absorption and will not engage in hostile activities.
The paper also called for transforming Pyongyang's "hostile two-state policy" into a "peace-oriented two-state" relationship seeking unification, a wording that drew criticism from some who argued it risks legitimizing North Korea as a separate sovereign state in violation of the Constitution.
Open Questions
- How will North Korea respond to this clarification?
- What are the specific constitutional implications for South Korea's unification policy?
- What are the potential future steps in implementing Seoul's 'peace-oriented two-state approach'?
