Lee In-young: "The ROK-US Summit Should Be an Opportunity to Accelerate the Korean Peninsula Peace Process"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young emphasized that the upcoming Korea-US summit next month should serve as an opportunity to accelerate the timetable of the 'Korean Peninsula Peace Process.' He also stated that support will be provided to activate exchanges and contacts at the civilian and local government levels before dialogue between the central governments of South and North Korea resumes.

In his opening remarks at a press briefing held on the 29th at the Seoul Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters, Minister Lee said, "Based on strategic coordination between Korea and the US on North Korea policy, I hope that the Korea-US summit will become an important opportunity to advance the timetable of the Korean Peninsula peace process."

Regarding the soon-to-be-announced US review of North Korea policy, Minister Lee said, "Since Korea and the US have communicated closely, there is a possibility that flexibility in sanctions will be exercised according to a phased and simultaneous approach to denuclearization in a broad framework," and added, "While maintaining a principled stance on North Korean human rights issues, humanitarian cooperation will be consistently pursued."

He also emphasized the South Korean government's efforts to improve inter-Korean relations. Minister Lee stated, "Our government has once again clearly expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the North Korean side anytime, anywhere, regardless of agenda or format," and added, "Along with efforts to resume dialogue, we will promote comprehensive humanitarian cooperation expanding from health, medical, and quarantine cooperation to livelihood cooperation."

In this regard, he said, "The UN Security Council sanctions resolutions, which are based on comprehensive sanctions against North Korea, do not intend to cause negative humanitarian impacts on North Korean residents or restrict humanitarian support activities," and added, "The flexible application of related sanctions will not be an obstacle."

Amid the breakdown of dialogue between the South and North Korean government authorities, he also expressed the intention to open a path through cooperation projects by civilians or local governments. Minister Lee said, "Since local governments have begun to become key players in improving inter-Korean relations, it would be good for the Ministry of Unification if exchanges and contacts at the local government level are activated," and added, "Even before official approaches between (South and North) authorities, if there is a process where exchanges or contacts at the civilian level are first activated, we will support their early progress."

A 'youth quota' related to Ministry of Unification events will also be provided to the 2030 generation who will lead the future. Minister Lee said, "With the mindset that it is fine to give the entire stage of the new Korean Peninsula peace regime to the future generation, we will actively support them so that they can freely create and design," and added, "a certain scale of 'youth quota' will be allocated to various events hosted by the Ministry of Unification to actively guarantee the participation of the 2030 generation."

Minister Lee warned that political volatility may increase in the second half of the year, saying, "The first half of this year, when uncertainties are cleared as the US North Korea policy is finalized, is the right time to restart the Korean Peninsula peace process," and emphasized, "It is a golden opportunity and the optimal time for South Korea, North Korea, and the US to move forward together again toward the Korean Peninsula peace process."

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