North Korea-U.S. Summit Seen as Key to Resolving Inter-Korean Tensions

조현 Foreign Minister Park Jin and Jeong Dong-young, Minister of Unification, outlined plans to address the current tensions on the Korean Peninsula through the North Korea-U.S. summit and the expansion of national consensus, amid a backdrop of closer ties between North Korea and China and Russia that have diminished North Korea's incentive for dialogue with the South.

During a comprehensive audit session of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the National Assembly on October 27, Minister Park responded to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Maeng Seong-kyu regarding strategies to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table. "I believe that holding a North Korea-U.S. summit could serve as a catalyst for resolving the current situation," he said.

He added, "Our strategy is to fulfill our role as a pacemaker, ensuring that the U.S. can establish itself as a peacemaker. It is crucial to closely coordinate with relevant countries, including China and Russia, to bring North Korea to the negotiating table."

Minister Jeong acknowledged concerns that North Korea may feel less need to improve relations with the South due to its expanding economic and diplomatic ties with China and military cooperation with Russia. He emphasized the need to consider multiple perspectives on the issue.

"The expansion and development of North Korea-China relations can also support North Korea's proactive foreign engagements," Jeong noted. He stressed the importance of changing the current state of complete severance and deadlock, which has persisted for three to seven years, into a more positive direction.

He stated, "Our goal is to transform the hostility between the 'two hostile nations' into dialogue and then into peace. Through peaceful coexistence, we can ultimately advance our unification policy."

Jeong also highlighted the importance of broadening the domestic foundation to support inter-Korean dialogue. "Particularly important is the dialogue and communication among South Koreans. We need to expand the common ground that peace and coexistence serve the national interest, protect our young soldiers, and provide a backbone for our economy," he said.