[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party and the first nominee for Minister of Unification under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, stated on the 14th that "the conservative government's inter-Korean relations are not necessarily negative."
On the same day, Kwon met with reporters on his way to the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where his confirmation hearing preparation office is located, and said, "Some argue negatively based on precedents that inter-Korean dialogue was not well conducted during conservative governments, but that is not necessarily the case."
He added, "Considering that North Korea actively attempted dialogue in some past conservative government cases, it is not necessarily pessimistic," and said, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration will create new momentum to start new dialogue and achieve meaningful progress in inter-Korean relations."
Regarding voices suggesting that "more weight should be placed on inter-Korean relations than denuclearization," he responded, "Denuclearization itself is the same path toward normalization of inter-Korean relations," and said, "Without progress in denuclearization, inter-Korean relations cannot be normalized."
In response to a reporter's question about whether President-elect Yoon's North Korea policy is tough, he explained the Yoon administration's stance, saying, "The military aspect inevitably has to be tough, and diplomatically, since North Korea continues various provocations and there are multiple international sanctions, the stance there is inevitably hawkish as well."
However, while moving forward within that broad framework, he added, "Our Ministry of Unification will also strive for progress through dialogue and resolution through dialogue."
Regarding the "Korean Peninsula Peace Process" promoted by the Moon Jae-in administration, he said, "We will accept the good elements and discard the uncomfortable parts," but pointed out constitutional issues with the "Law Prohibiting the Distribution of Leaflets to North Korea" promoted by the Moon administration, suggesting the need for its repeal.
Regarding voices suggesting that "more weight should be placed on inter-Korean relations than denuclearization," he responded, "Denuclearization itself is the same path toward normalization of inter-Korean relations," and said, "Without progress in denuclearization, inter-Korean relations cannot be normalized."
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