Lee In-young: "It is not justified to conclude the Korean Peninsula peace process as a 'total failure'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 6th, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, raised his voice at his final press briefing of his term, stating that "it is not justified to conclude the Korean Peninsula peace process as a total failure." He suggested that the next government "try progressive policies with a reverse thinking approach under a conservative administration."

At the press briefing held at the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters, Minister Lee said, "For a complete evaluation of the policy, it is necessary to comprehensively review not only a specific point in time or one aspect but all processes and results, as well as the surrounding structures and environment."

He evaluated, "In 2017, when the current government took office, the military tension on the Korean Peninsula reached its peak, with North Korea conducting nuclear tests and ICBM launches, and it was called a 'war of words.' Through the Korean Peninsula peace process, for four years and four months, we led North Korea to voluntarily give up such threats."

He also emphasized, "It is true that with the implementation of the September 19 Military Agreement, accidental clashes in the most sensitive inter-Korean border areas have almost disappeared militarily," adding, "This was a very urgent and earnest practical advancement of peace for our people, especially the border residents."

This was a rebuttal from the minister in charge against the media and opposition parties labeling the Moon Jae-in administration's "Korean Peninsula peace process" as a failure after North Korea broke the moratorium (on ICBM and nuclear tests). Minister Lee said, "If we had to face the COVID-19 pandemic amid such a prolonged period of extreme tension, it would have been really difficult for us to enter the world's top 10 GDP rankings," and added, "It is inappropriate to simply conclude the Korean Peninsula peace process with the dichotomous language of 'failure' used by some."

He also hinted that the next government should inherit the Korean Peninsula peace process. Minister Lee emphasized, "The Korean Peninsula peace process is a comprehensive master plan and a path and process we must continue to walk. We need to pursue North Korea and unification policies more consistently and with a long-term perspective beyond presidential terms and regime changes."

He then proposed that the next government implement peace policies. Minister Lee said, "I hope the new government approaches this with reverse thinking. Because it is a conservative administration, it will be able to quickly form a national consensus," and added, "I hope the conservative government breaks away from the expectation and anticipation of pursuing confrontational policy directions and instead implements policies for peace with reverse thinking."

He also stressed the importance of the Ministry of Unification, which was once subject to abolition debates, saying, "It is the unique role of our Ministry of Unification to comprehensively coordinate and adjust North Korea and unification policies in official, public, and popular domains."

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