"Inter-Korean Relations Are Not a Rainfed Rice Field" Lee In-young's 'New Ministry of Unification Theory'

Minister of Unification and Heads of Departments Brainstorming
Emphasizing Proactive and Preemptive Actions Over Passive and Supportive Attitudes

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering opening remarks at a brainstorming session held on the 28th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-hyung Kang aymsdream@

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, stated on the 28th, "The Ministry of Unification should not be an organization that moves only when inter-Korean relations are activated," emphasizing the need to implement proactive and preemptive unification policies.

On the same day, Minister Lee held a brainstorming session with department heads in the large conference room on the 7th floor of the Government Seoul Office and said, "The current situation requires a new theory for the Ministry of Unification."

He added, "Beyond minor developments, changes in the situation from a strategic perspective will bring about a new era of inter-Korean time and peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," and "In response, the Ministry of Unification needs a solid philosophy and new theoretical work to lead the design of a peaceful era of reconciliation and coexistence, moving beyond the Cold War era of confrontation and hostility."

He emphasized, "We hope that our Ministry of Unification can lead the grand plan of our nation, advancing through the stages of creating a peace economy roadmap, promoting exchange and cooperation investment, forming an alliance of industrial resources, sharing markets and currencies, and finally achieving unification in finance and politics, making 2045?the 100th anniversary of liberation and independence?a jubilee year."

Minister Lee stressed that the Ministry of Unification can also enhance its status through active and preemptive administration.

He said, "We aim to clearly establish the Ministry of Unification’s status and role as central in the public and mass domains of inter-Korean relations development," adding, "Beyond a waiting stance, I hope we can move more nimbly with a proactive attitude, taking a step forward and creating achievements together."

Minister Lee stated, "The Ministry of Unification should not be like a rain-fed rice field or an intermittent spring," and "We must break away from passive will and auxiliary attitudes and shift to active enthusiasm and a proactive stance." He emphasized, "In all fields of peace and unification, the Ministry of Unification must be an organization that plans, executes, and brings results from start to finish, taking responsibility for our people's long journey toward peace and unification."

He also highlighted cooperation with external organizations beyond intergovernmental consultations. Minister Lee said, "We must be able to engage in bold and open cooperation and solidarity with civil organizations, local governments, and the National Unification Advisory Council," stressing, "The Ministry of Unification must become a spark of hope for our people in any worst-case scenario and be the last stronghold of our nation."

At this stage, the most urgent tasks identified were the restoration of inter-Korean dialogue and humanitarian exchange cooperation. Minister Lee said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; the start is the restoration of inter-Korean dialogue and the immediate resumption of humanitarian cooperation," adding, "We must be able to implement many promises and agreements exchanged between the two Koreas."

He expressed hope that "today’s meeting will have many concrete discussions on ways to cooperate on things like food, medical needs, and seeing loved ones before death, moving beyond the current deadlock and coldness."

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering opening remarks at a brainstorming session held on the 28th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in approved the ministerial appointment on the 27th, and Minister Lee started work by arriving at the Government Seoul Office at 2 p.m. that day. The brainstorming session was his first public schedule after taking office.

Although no inauguration ceremony was held, he sent a text message to staff saying, "Let’s make bold changes through strategic moves and have the Ministry of Unification take center stage in inter-Korean time," as a greeting for his appointment. On his way to work, he told reporters, "I am not confident that I will do better than any previous Minister of Unification, but I am confident I will do the second best."

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