Jeong Dong-yeong "Inter-Korean Relations Should Not Be Left to Trump... Diplomatic and Security Lineup Needs Restructuring"

Jeong Dong-yeong, Former Minister of Unification / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Recently, as North Korea blew up the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, worsening inter-Korean relations, Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul has expressed his intention to resign. In response, former Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-young predicted, "It is difficult to seek a turnaround with just the resignation of one Minister of Unification."

On the 18th, former Minister Jeong said in an interview with YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning,' "A major overhaul of the diplomatic and security lines could be a card to seek a turnaround," expressing this view.

Former Minister Jeong stated, "The Blue House issued a statement with a strong stance, and while we are inevitably conscious of public sentiment and the international community's perspective, a cooling-off period is necessary for the time being. We should start by suspending the South Korea-U.S. military exercises scheduled for August."

He added, "For a major shift in inter-Korean relations, the National Security Council (NSC) system must be fundamentally reorganized and led by the Ministry of Unification. The core issues on the Korean Peninsula now are the nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations. It is not good that the Ministry of Unification has become like a subsidiary function in the current situation where a major shift in inter-Korean relations is needed," he pointed out.

Regarding North Korea's demolition of the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, former Minister Jeong explained, "It is the result of North Korea's disappointment with inter-Korean relations turning into a sense of betrayal and hostility. They should have upheld the autonomous spirit of the September 19 Agreement and reclaimed their position as the owner."

He emphasized, "It was a fatal mistake to readily accept the U.S. proposal for the South Korea-U.S. working group. Inter-Korean relations are fundamentally a sovereign matter, but the structure has become one where approval is obtained from the South Korea-U.S. working group. We cannot leave inter-Korean relations in the mind of U.S. President Trump forever. President Trump’s lifeline is his reelection, and the North Korean nuclear issue or the Korean Peninsula issue is only a fraction of that. Now, we must take the lead."

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