Unification ministry eyes Trump’s China trip

Feb 12, 2026, 08:17 am

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Unification Minister Chung Dong-young (left) pays a courtesy visit to Venerable Deoksoo, head of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism, on Feb. 11. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Unification

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification views U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China in April as a potential turning point to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table, and is working to create favorable conditions ahead of the trip.

While various proposals have been floated to resume U.S.–North Korea and inter-Korean dialogue, tangible progress remains limited due to practical constraints. In this context, attention has focused on Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s recent expressions of “deep regret” toward Pyongyang.

On Feb. 10, Chung attended a Mass for national reconciliation and unity at Myeongdong Cathedral, where he expressed “deep regret” over the suspension of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and a civilian drone infiltration incident involving North Korea — remarks widely interpreted as a de facto apology.

The following day, during a visit to Venerable Deoksoo of the Cheontae Order, Chung said, “If either side has made mistakes, they should acknowledge them and express regret accordingly.”

His comments have sparked speculation that Seoul is eager to elicit a response from Pyongyang ahead of Trump’s April trip to China. Observers noted that his remarks on the drone incident — which has yet to be adjudicated — appeared to have been made without prior coordination with the presidential office. Critics also pointed out that Chung did not mention North Korea’s nuclear and long-range ballistic missile development as the root cause of the Kaesong shutdown.

A senior Unification Ministry official dismissed suggestions of impatience. “We are approaching inter-Korean relations with composure,” the official said. “Our policy is to build trust step by step, accumulating even small measures so the two Koreas can peacefully coexist.”

In a separate message to reporters, the ministry spokesperson said, “Some claim the government’s peace efforts amount to a submissive stance toward the North, but this should be assessed based on facts. Moving toward peaceful coexistence requires the courage to acknowledge mistakes.” The spokesperson added that it is necessary to reflect on whether rigidity or a sense of superiority has influenced inter-Korean relations.

Despite the ministry’s efforts, progress has not been smooth. On Jan. 22, a proposal to simplify procedures for importing North Korean food products into the South was set to be approved by the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council, but was postponed after other ministries, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, requested further review.

In addition, the possibility of dispatching Chung as a special envoy for Korean Peninsula peace ahead of Trump’s China visit has yet to materialize.

The ministry reiterated that its approach is not one of concession but of creating a trust-building phase to advance toward peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas.

#Donald Trump #Ministry of Unification #Chung Dong-young #inter-Korean relations