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Unification Minister Chung Dong-young responds to lawmakers' questions during a plenary session of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the National Assembly. / Photo by Reporter Lee Byung-hwa, Asia Today

Marking the 26th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young announced on June 15 that he will transform inter-Korean relations to ensure that the current "hostile two-state" relationship with North Korea shifts toward peaceful coexistence.

"Over the past year, the Lee Jae-myung administration has poured preemptive peace efforts into the relationship, including halting leaflet distributions and loudspeaker broadcasts, yet what returned was nothing but a harsh, heavy, and cold silence," Minister Chung noted in a social media post. "Nevertheless, we cannot let go of the thread of dialogue, nor should we halt our steps toward peace."

"Finding a breakthrough in the end is precisely the great spirit of June 15 demonstrated by President Kim Dae-jung," Minister Chung emphasized. "Much like the wisdom of 'Bul-il-bul-i' (neither one nor two) by the Great Monk Wonhyo, it is time for us, who bear responsibility for the fate of the Korean Peninsula, to remain resilient and ultimately pave the path of peace for the next generation."

Pointing to the recent declaration of the end of the war between the United States and Iran, Minister Chung added, "This stands as a monumental testament and declaration that the path to peace eventually opens, even amid the harsh, freezing currents of war. We will patiently endure without tiring, opening a path to prosperity upon the bedrock of peaceful coexistence stripped of hostility."

Coinciding with the 26th anniversary of the June 15 declaration, the Ministry of Unification also reaffirmed its position that it respects the North Korean regime and does not pursue hostile acts, in line with its consistent policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

During a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, Unification Ministry Spokesperson Yoon Min-ho listed examples such as the suspension of anti-North leaflets and loudspeaker broadcasts, the government's expression of regret over the drone infiltration incident, promises to prevent recurrences, and revisions to related legislation. "These measures demonstrate our commitment to peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula through sincere actions," Yoon stated.

Regarding the criticism directed at President Lee Jae-myung by the spokesperson of the 10th Bureau of the North Korean Foreign Ministry on June 13, Yoon noted, "During a special Mass for Peace and Solidarity on June 14, President Lee Jae-myung stated that he would do everything in his power to prevent accidental clashes, restore military trust, and build a sustainable peace regime between the South and the North." Yoon emphasized, "The Ministry of Unification will steadfastly implement measures to restore inter-Korean trust to support the President's commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula."

                                                                                                           Mok Yong-jae