[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, stated that it will inevitably take time until the new U.S. administration comes forward as a platform for dialogue with North Korea, and that the improvement of inter-Korean relations could be pursued in the second half of this year.
In his opening remarks at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Unification on the 25th, Minister Lee said, "Through this year's peace process on the Korean Peninsula based on dialogue and coexistence, we will do our best to improve inter-Korean relations by the second half of the year."
He added, "It will inevitably take some time for the new U.S. administration to complete its review of North Korea policy and to sit back at the dialogue table. As President Moon said, these few months should be the time when we exert our final focus."
Minister Lee noted, "Several opportunities are approaching in the second half of this year, such as the easing of COVID-19, the 30th anniversary of North and South Korea's simultaneous admission to the United Nations, and sports events. If North Korea-U.S. dialogue can be addressed in this context, the space for cooperation will expand."
Regarding concerns about the perception gap between the Biden administration and our government, he said, "Before talking about differences in viewpoints, it is a time when efforts to focus on commonalities and develop them are more necessary."
Minister Lee emphasized, "President Biden himself is well aware of the situation and policy direction on the Korean Peninsula, and above all, he strongly supports former President Kim Dae-jung's 'Sunshine Policy' and has great respect for him. We can approach from that standpoint."
He continued, "The Biden administration needs time to set up and review its Korean Peninsula policy line. If the government communicates sufficiently with trust during this process, our government's role can become much greater. This year is truly the Ministry of Unification's time to create changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula."
He also expressed the intention to restore inter-Korean dialogue channels while coordinating with the U.S. to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process. Minister Lee said, "We hope to reactivate the Red Cross and hold Red Cross talks. We hope to have even a video reunion of separated families around the Lunar New Year, and we will try to promote family reunions on days that both North and South can commemorate together."
He stated the policy to consistently pursue humanitarian cooperation. Minister Lee said, "Humanitarian cooperation with North Korea has been consistently pursued regardless of our government's political, military, and security situations. We will continue to pursue it, but it is true that North Korea undervalues this part," expressing some regret.
Regarding North Korea's demand to suspend the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, he said, "Since North Korea and the U.S. are restraining themselves from creating tensions for each other, we believe a wise and flexible solution can be found. It would be good if the North's perspective could also be flexible and open, not just the South Korean government's."
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