Unification Minister Chung Dong-young: 'Abandoning Denuclearization-First... Pushing for Peace-First and Halt of North Korean Nukes'

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated on the 23rd during a press conference marking his first year in office that the government is abandoning the previous administration's "denuclearization-first" stance in favor of a "peace-first" approach and is preparing a strategy to prioritize halting North Korea's nuclear program. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that time cannot be wasted as North Korea continues to expand its nuclear capabilities. Minister Chung explained that he shifted to a "peace-first" doctrine based on the judgment that maintaining dialogue is paramount, characterizing the past "denuclearization-first, CVID" approach as effectively domestic political rhetoric.

The Ministry of Unification plans to seek a realistic solution that offers incentives corresponding to a halt in North Korea's nuclear expansion, aiming to initiate discussions on a "peace regime on the Korean Peninsula" to create conditions for a nuclear freeze. This aligns with the context of the "halt-reduction-abolishment" three-phase solution proposed by President Lee Jae-myung at the UN General Assembly last September.

Minister Chung identified President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. in September and President Trump's visit to China in November as key factors for the resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue, and anticipated a meeting with incoming U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steele later this month.

Minister Chung assessed the "unification-oriented peaceful two-state system," the implementation strategy for the "Korean Peninsula Peaceful Coexistence Policy," as a major achievement over the past year. He evaluated this as establishing a new paradigm for inter-Korean relations that overcomes North Korea's declaration of "hostile diplomatic relations between two foreign countries."