Unification Ministry Official: North's Nuclear Program Must Stop First; 'A Car Must Stop Before It Can Reverse'

Amid signs of a resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. under President Donald Trump, a senior official at the Ministry of Unification stated on the 21st that the theory of "first halting North Korea's nuclear program" is the most realistic choice. The official emphasized that, just as a car must stop before it can reverse, the priority is to first bring North Korea's nuclear activities to a halt. Meeting with reporters on this day, the official defined North Korea's nuclear program as an "existential threat." While the ultimate goal of a North-U.S. meeting must be a "nuclear-free Korean Peninsula," the official stressed a phased approach: realistically, the dialogue should prioritize stopping the North's nuclear program, then move toward reduction and denuclearization.

The official said that through North-U.S. dialogue, a "grand scheme" to address the fundamental issue—the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula—could be set in motion. "While discussing a peace regime, we can include discussions on conventional armaments and nuclear capabilities," the official added. They emphasized that a plan to pursue the nuclear issue and a peace regime in parallel must be established through communication with parties involved, including the U.S.

Regarding concerns about "passing"—where discussions on a North-U.S. summit might proceed excluding South Korea—the official dismissed such worries. "With inter-Korean relations currently stalled, what driving force do we have other than the resumption of North-U.S. dialogue?" the official asked, adding, "The more we use the expression 'passing,' the more our power diminishes." However, the official clarified, "Acknowledging the reality that the North possesses nuclear weapons does not mean the U.S. will designate or name the North as a nuclear-weapon state; our goal remains ultimate denuclearization."

Regarding a statement released by Kim Yo Jong, Director of the Workers' Party of Korea Department, on the previous day criticizing President Lee Jae-myung by name, the official pointed out, "For peaceful coexistence and a peace regime, South and North Korea must look in the same direction," adding, "In that context, denigration and distortion should not occur."

In an official statement released the same day, the Ministry of Unification declared, "Regardless of any difficult situation, the government will not be swayed by ups and downs and will consistently push for the Korean Peninsula peace coexistence policy." It added, "We urge the North side not to distort our will for peace on the Korean Peninsula and to join us on the journey to convert the unstable armistice system into a peace regime for the benefit and security of both South and North Korea."