Lee In-young "The Reason for the Existence of the Ministry of Unification Is Clear" Directly Refutes Abolition Theory

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 2nd, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, raised his voice in criticism against the theory of abolishing the Ministry of Unification, which is raised every time there is a regime change.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the same day, at the 53rd anniversary event of the Ministry of Unification held via video conference, Minister Lee said, “The reason for the existence of the Ministry of Unification is clear,” and “Even if the regime changes, the official adjustment and decision of North Korea policy is the unique role of the Ministry of Unification.”

This was a direct rebuttal to the ‘abolition theory of the Ministry of Unification’ that has been raised by some quarters during the anniversary event of the Ministry of Unification.

Minister Lee said, “As the spirit of the times and values change, there are voices questioning the reason for the existence of the Ministry of Unification,” and “At times like this, we must become stronger and newer ourselves.”

Minister Lee said, “‘Peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula’ is a national mission and the responsibility of the president, as stated in the preamble and main text of the Constitution,” and “We have been clearly granted constitutional spirit and status more than any other government ministry.”

He also evaluated, “Knowing North Korea well as a negotiation or business partner and accumulating that experience is a unique asset of the Ministry of Unification.”

Minister Lee emphasized the meaning of the Ministry of Unification’s existence itself in informing the international community of the will for normalization of inter-Korean relations and peace.

He said, “Cooperating with the world under the name of the Ministry of Unification serves as a basis for recognizing inter-Korean relations not as diplomatic relations between countries but as a provisional special relationship aiming for unification,” and “It is a will to restore and normalize inter-Korean relations and also contributes to securing legitimacy for North and South Korea to achieve peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula in the future.”

Minister Lee emphasized, “The best answer to groundless criticism and cynicism is consistency and sincerity,” and “I will speak about peace on the Korean Peninsula ahead of anyone else and will not give up reconciliation and cooperation until the last moment.”

Minister Lee also opposed the need to change the name of the Ministry of Unification.

He said, “I think there is no better name that can express the Ministry of Unification better than ‘Ministry of Unification,’” and “Because it is the only name that encompasses our duties and roles as a whole, not in parts, and covers everything from the process to the goal.”

The Ministry of Unification started as the National Land Unification Agency on March 1, 1969, changed its name to the Unification Agency in 1990, and has used its current name since 1998.

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