No Dialogue with N. Korea Possible if Denuclearization Comes First: Unification Minister

In a significant shift in diplomatic stance, South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young emphasized that any dialogue with North Korea would be unattainable if denuclearization is set as a precondition. Speaking at an academic forum on peaceful coexistence with North Korea, he remarked, "We cannot start any discussion by repeating the past approach; action first, compensation later, with denuclearization as a precondition."

Chung argued that this rigid stance would hinder any potential dialogue from even beginning. He pointed out that the ongoing armistice system, which concluded the Korean War in 1953 without a formal peace treaty, continues to obstruct progress toward lasting peace and inter-Korean relations.

He advocated for a new approach, suggesting that the armistice should be replaced with a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. Chung proposed handling multiple interconnected issues simultaneously, including the cessation of the Korean War, normalization of relations with the U.S., and reviving economic cooperation between the two Koreas.

President Lee Jae-myung, since taking office, has been proactive in seeking improved relations with North Korea, proposing discussions on formally ending the war and addressing North Korea's nuclear ambitions. This new diplomatic direction reflects a broader strategy aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence in the region.