Criticism of 'Geollimdol' Spurs Full-Scale Discussion on Restructuring the Hanmi Working Group... Ministry of Unification and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Show Divergent Views

Ministry of Unification Restructures to Contribute to Inter-Korean Relations and Peace on the Korean Peninsula
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Focuses on Positive Functions, 'No Issues in Operation'

On the 10th, officials affiliated with the 8.15 National Autonomy Rally Promotion Committee held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the dissolution of the Korea-US Working Group and the suspension of Korea-US joint military exercises. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Discussions between the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reorganize the South Korea-U.S. Working Group have begun, but differences in perspectives between the two ministries remain.

According to materials submitted by the Ministry of Unification to Assemblyman Jeon Hae-cheol of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs started discussions this month to reorganize the South Korea-U.S. Working Group.

The South Korea-U.S. Working Group was established in 2018 as a consultative body between South Korea and the U.S. to promote inter-Korean cooperation and denuclearization. It has played a role in reviewing potential violations of North Korea sanctions in advance when implementing inter-Korean cooperation projects. However, as North Korea-U.S. dialogue has stalled, the group has been criticized for becoming an obstacle to improving inter-Korean relations.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began discussions on the 16th of this month between Choi Young-jun, Director General of the Ministry of Unification's Policy Bureau, and Lee Do-hoon, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Peace Negotiation Headquarters. On the 18th, discussions were held at the director-level. Consultations are also being conducted frequently at the bureau chief level.

However, differences in views between the two ministries regarding the South Korea-U.S. Working Group remain evident. The Ministry of Unification holds the position that the Working Group should be reorganized to contribute to the development of inter-Korean relations and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, whereas the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes there is no significant problem with the Working Group.

In particular, the Ministry of Unification believes that the government should independently pursue areas not subject to sanctions, such as inter-Korean cooperation projects. It argues that the Working Group should not intervene in individual cases but rather review related projects within a broad framework over a certain period. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has concerns about independently judging violations of North Korea sanctions.

Although inter-ministerial discussions to reorganize the South Korea-U.S. Working Group have intensified, it is expected to take considerable time before actual reorganization occurs. It is also uncertain whether the U.S. side, led by Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, will accept this.

Assemblyman Jeon emphasized, "The South Korea-U.S. Working Group should be reorganized to contribute to the development of inter-Korean relations," adding, "The inter-ministerial discussions should include not only existing sanction exemptions but also measures for peace on the Korean Peninsula and improvement of inter-Korean relations, with the Ministry of Unification playing a leading role."

Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and Steve Biegun, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, held a brief press conference in the lobby of the Seoul Government Complex Annex on the 21st after the 2nd meeting of the Korea-U.S. Working Group. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@