(2nd LD) Unification ministry defends N. Korea policy after Lee's call for caution

Seoul, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- The Unification Ministry has defended its policy towards North Korea, stating it will persist in efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence despite challenges. The ministry emphasized the importance of taking continuous steps, even if progress seems minimal, in light of President Lee Jae Myung's call for patience. The statement came after Lee cautioned against policies that may be exploited for political gain during a policy briefing.

The ministry defended its proposal to drop the term "enemy" in referring to North Korea, opting instead for its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This move was part of a trust-building strategy. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young assured the public that President Lee supported the initiative and urged them to remain patient.

However, the approach has raised concerns about the government's stance towards North Korea, which has shown no signs of softening in return. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed skepticism about the proposed four-way dialogue among the two Koreas, the United States, and China, deeming it idealistic. He acknowledged the challenges in achieving such a plan, suggesting that the ministry relies on idealism to make a difference.

Chung countered Cho's skepticism, arguing that their approach is grounded in realism and practicality. The Ministry affirmed that its policy remains consistent, pursuing a unified front through close coordination among relevant departments. They highlighted that North Korea's refusal to engage with Seoul's outreach for dialogue makes any multiparty security dialogue a challenging yet necessary step towards building a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.