Unification ministry proposes not calling N. Korea 'main enemy'

Seoul, Aug. 5 - The Unification Ministry has proposed rethinking the term "main enemy" when referring to North Korea as part of its plan to foster peaceful coexistence and revive inter-Korean relations. The ministry briefed President Lee Jae Myung on its comprehensive policy strategy, emphasizing mutual respect, reciprocal cooperation, conflict resolution, and a long-term goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asian peace.

To build mutual trust, the ministry suggests replacing "North Korea" with its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This proposal aims to revitalize a peace regime framework previously endorsed by former President Moon Jae-in, which has since faded due to a halt in inter-Korean exchanges. On security matters, the ministry seeks to reinstate the Sept.

19 inter-Korean military tension reduction pact from 2018 and manage the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) peacefully. In line with these objectives, a white paper released in May outlined three guiding principles: acknowledging the North's system, rejecting unification by force, and avoiding hostile actions. The ministry also outlined plans to restart construction of the Gyeongwon Line connecting Seoul and Wonsan in North Korea, with a completion target of 2029, and revise rules for the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to enable spending on peace economic zones, private unification projects, and North Korea studies.