북미 회담 가능? 정동영 “동북아 지각판 움직인다”

North-South summit feasible? Lee Dong-yung, Minister of Unification, says US-North Korea summit talks are possible, but not because of a change in US policy. During a meeting with journalists on February 21st at the Government Complex in Seoul, Lee evaluated US President Donald Trump's decision to reduce joint military exercises 'Ulji Freedom Guardian' and his willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea.

He expressed his frustration over the past year as Unification Minister, stating his determination to break the stalemate and relieve the situation. Lee also pointed out that Trump is the only leader who has met with North Korean leaders and that his decision to reduce joint military exercises is a major step to ease tension on the peninsula.

Two conditions must be met for the summit to happen, according to the officials - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power and the US abandoning its anti-North Korea policy. The officials believe that Trump signaled his willingness to respond to these conditions. Meanwhile, the Unification Ministry released a statement the day before, assuring the public that the government would continue to pursue the policy of peace and coexistence on the peninsula without interruption, even in difficult circumstances.

The ministry urged both North and South to avoid distorting the North's peace-seeking stance and to work together towards transforming the unstable truce into a peaceful one. The ministry also mentioned the name of President Jae-myung Kim in a recent phone conversation, saying that Seoul is now facing a situation where it can finally complete the journey towards a peaceful peninsula only by working together with the North.