Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young responded on August 6 to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's characterization of the ministry's plan for a 'peace regime on the Korean Peninsula' as 'idealism,' stating, "One must have ideals to change reality."
On his way to the Government Seoul Complex, Cho told reporters, "We must cooperate with each other to assist the government."
During a briefing following a report to President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Blue House on August 5, Cho remarked that the Unification Ministry's plan for a 'transition to a peace regime and a four-party meeting' should be viewed as an idealistic statement and suggested it be discounted.
Some analysts find it unusual for a minister from another department to publicly downplay the operational plans of a fellow minister.
Meanwhile, Jeong emphasized that President Yoon had stated, "Peace is food, peace is the economy," and urged patience in continuing the policy of peaceful coexistence, despite the challenges faced by the Unification Ministry.
He added that the President expressed a strong commitment to supporting the Unification Ministry with encouragement and motivation.
When asked whether President Yoon's comments about referring to North Korea as 'Joseon' (the official name of North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) indicated a call for a slowdown in policy, Jeong replied, "I will clarify the Unification Ministry's position through a spokesperson."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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