Woo Sang-ho "I have no intention to become Minister of Unification, although Im Jong-seok is suitable..."

"Finding a Solution Before the US Presidential Election Is Difficult"
"Low Possibility of Direct Military Provocation... North Korea Also Likely Does Not Want a Catastrophe"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is mentioned as a candidate for the next Minister of Unification, clearly stated that he has no intention of joining the cabinet. He believes that it will be difficult to find a solution to the North Korean situation before the U.S. presidential election in November, so it is necessary to respond with a long-term perspective by managing and warning to prevent further deterioration. He analyzed that the possibility of direct military provocations is low.

On the 18th, Woo said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "I understand that Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul's resignation was made without prior notice," adding, "(The appointment of a successor) is a matter for the president, who holds the authority for personnel appointments, so it is inappropriate to discuss it. I am neither a suitable candidate nor do I intend to take the position."

However, regarding Lim Jong-seok, a former presidential chief of staff who is also mentioned as a strong candidate, he said, "He is a suitable candidate, but it does not seem likely that he has the intention to take the position."

Woo was also considered as a candidate for the first Minister of Unification under the Moon Jae-in administration but declined at that time as well. Lim Jong-seok was appointed chairman of the Korea Foundation for Inter-Korean Economic and Cultural Cooperation on the 2nd and stated on Facebook the same day, "I think it is okay to discuss unification later. We need to create a Northeast Asia Free Zone where people and goods can move freely," adding, "Northern economy and peace economy should become South Korea's new vision. The Korea Foundation for Inter-Korean Economic and Cultural Cooperation aims to be a small bridge connecting that path."

Regarding North Korea's intentions, Woo analyzed, "It seems they are expressing disappointment and anger over the failure to uphold agreements made between leaders, and strategically, they believe that North Korea-U.S. relations can only improve after the U.S. presidential election. For now, they appear to be considering worsening the situation as leverage for negotiations."

He continued, "With only a few months left before the U.S. presidential election, President Trump does not seem to have the capacity to negotiate with North Korea," and added, "If North Korea provokes, it will become more difficult, but even if the situation is resolved well, it will not be advantageous because foreign policy is not a major variable in the U.S. election."

He did not agree with the view that North Korea's provocations are a way to overcome economic difficulties. "Even if they provoke, economic sanctions will not be lifted, nor is it likely they will receive help from South Korea or the U.S.," he said.

He assessed the possibility of actual provocations beyond military redeployment as low. Woo said, "North Korea does not want a catastrophe either," adding, "Deploying artillery units to the Kaesong Industrial Complex is quite threatening, but it is expected to be a symbolic level of a smaller scale rather than the brigade-level deployment some speculate."

Regarding leaflets sent to North Korea, he expressed the view that they should be stopped. Woo said, "Even if leaflets are sent with pure intentions for North Korean democracy, they should not be sent when military confrontation occurs," adding, "Efforts to uphold existing agreements between South and North Korea and warnings to prevent further deterioration must be made together. It is not a situation where a short-term strategy driven by anxiety can be devised."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.