Lee In-young on "Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation"... US State Department Calls for "UN Sanctions Compliance" Halt

"All UN Member States Have an Obligation to Enforce Sanctions"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is attending the Cabinet meeting held on the 24th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Regarding Minister of Unification Lee In-young's recent suggestion of the possibility of inter-Korean economic cooperation, the U.S. State Department stated, "All UN member states are obligated to implement the Security Council sanctions resolutions," according to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 24th (local time).

The U.S. State Department spokesperson said on the same day, "The United States expects all UN member states to continue implementing the sanctions resolutions," RFA reported.

Earlier, on the 23rd, Minister Lee met with business leaders and emphasized that "inter-Korean economic cooperation is not a distant future but could possibly begin sooner than expected," urging the government and companies to prepare for such cooperation.

He said, "As COVID-19 vaccines and treatments are developed, progress is made in denuclearization negotiations, and opportunities arise for flexibility in sanctions against North Korea, we must create strategic space that allows North Korea to come forward as a partner in inter-Korean cooperation ahead of any other country."

He added, "The government will prepare the environment for overcoming risks in inter-Korean economic cooperation and steadily work on pending tasks related to individual tourism in North Korea, railway and road connection projects, and the reopening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, while discovering and promoting small but mutually beneficial cooperation projects."

Minister Lee's remarks came on the 10th anniversary of the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident. On November 23, 2010, North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island and surrounding waters, resulting in the deaths of two marines and two civilians, injuries to 60 people, and property damage worth 12 billion won.

Meanwhile, the Biden transition team, victorious in the U.S. presidential election, recently nominated former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken as the next Secretary of State and former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President Jake Sullivan as the White House National Security Advisor.

They emphasize a phased approach that values practical negotiations on North Korea, the necessity of sanctions to bring North Korea to the dialogue table, and international cooperation for a denuclearization agreement.

In particular, Blinken, who served as Deputy Secretary of State during the Barack Obama administration, promoted the "strategic patience" policy aimed at changing North Korea's stance through strong pressure. In a CBS interview program last September, he referred to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un twice as "one of the worst tyrants in the world," strongly criticizing former President Donald Trump's diplomacy toward North Korea. He said, "They (North Korea) were appeased by postponing allied military exercises and easing economic pressure," and harshly criticized, "What do we gain in return? Worse than nothing."