[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young urged North Korea to come to the dialogue table, stating that despite the statements from Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Ri Son-gwon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the overall trend is changing significantly.
At the '7th Korea Peninsula Peace Symposium' held at Lotte Hotel Seoul on the 25th, Minister Lee said, "We are now facing a good opportunity for a turning point in the situation where the firm willingness for dialogue between South Korea and the U.S. aligns with North Korea's more flexible attitude than before."
Earlier, Deputy Director Kim issued a statement toward the U.S. describing it as "interpretation rather than a dream," warning that "unrealistic expectations will only lead to greater disappointment." Minister Ri also welcomed Kim's statement and declared, "We are not considering any meaningless contact or possibility with the U.S."
However, Minister Lee said, "Despite the statements from Deputy Director Kim and Minister Ri, although it is too early to make a definitive judgment, I believe the overall trend is slowly changing," noting that North Korea is presenting new strategies and policies beyond the 'strong against strong, reciprocal retaliation' approach.
Minister Lee emphasized, "Since March, around the time of the South Korea-U.S. foreign and defense ministers' meetings, North Korea has shown signs of initiating a situation exploration by sending messages toward the South and the U.S. At last week's 3rd plenary meeting of the Workers' Party Central Committee, General Secretary Kim Jong-un mentioned stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation and dialogue, suggesting possibilities for talks and expressing a more flexible stance than before."
Minister Lee stated, "Now is the time for inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues, which had stalled, to resume and for both sides to come back to the negotiation table," adding, "This is the right moment to become a turning point."
He also expressed concerns that if this period passes, tensions between the two Koreas could return. Minister Lee said, "If the momentum for a change in the situation does not begin now, due to our political schedule and other factors, the range of choices for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula will inevitably narrow for both South and North Korea from the second half of this year through next year. If dialogue is delayed and the deadlock continues, there is a real possibility that tension will be recreated on the Korean Peninsula."
As preemptive measures to promote North Korea-U.S. dialogue, Minister Lee mentioned ▲resumption of inter-Korean dialogue ▲implementation of the Korea Peninsula Life and Safety Community initiative ▲connection of railroads and roads. He added, "If denuclearization negotiations get on track and progress is made, corresponding measures such as easing sanctions in key areas including finance, steel, coal, textiles, overseas dispatched labor, and refined oil, which are the core of the sanctions, could also be considered."
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