Unification Minister Nominee Jeong Dongyoung: "Supports North Korea-U.S. Summit... Actively Considering Renaming Ministry"

Jeong Dongyoung, nominee for Minister of Unification, stated on the 24th, "I support the North Korea-U.S. summit," adding, "It will greatly contribute to easing tensions and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Jeong Dongyoung, the nominee for Minister of Unification, is answering questions from the press as he enters the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Division in Jongno-gu, Seoul on June 24, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

Meeting with reporters at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Division in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day, Jeong was asked about his stance on the possibility of a future North Korea-U.S. summit. He responded, "A summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un will take place, and it should take place." He continued, "Such North Korea-U.S. dialogue was not attempted under the Bush or Obama administrations; it became possible because of President Trump. The 2018 Singapore Agreement should be respected, and although the breakdown in Hanoi in 2019 was regrettable, I believe the meeting at Panmunjom in June was meaningful."

Regarding North Korea's current definition of inter-Korean relations as those of "two hostile states" and its complete refusal to engage in dialogue, Jeong commented, "There is nothing in the world that does not change." He added, "This situation in inter-Korean relations occurred during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, but the Yoon administration has now disappeared into history." He emphasized, "It is important to seek to establish a new inter-Korean relationship together with the new administration."

As the idea of changing the name of the Ministry of Unification was discussed during the National Policy Planning Committee's briefing, Jeong also agreed, stating, "It needs to be actively considered." He referred to the historical precedent of the West German government under Willy Brandt in 1969, which abolished the All-German Ministry that had defined East Germany as a "puppet government" and reorganized it into the Federal Ministry for Intra-German Relations to recognize East Germany as a formal state. He added, "From our current perspective, peace on the Korean Peninsula is equivalent to unification," and said, "Establishing peace is the top mandate and task for all 50 million people."

Jeong reiterated, "A complete breakdown in communication between the two Koreas is abnormal," and stressed, "It is important to rebuild the trust that has been completely shattered." He further emphasized, "Trust begins with communication," and said, "Restoring communication channels is an urgent priority."

Jeong Dongyoung, nominee for Minister of Unification, is entering the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Division in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th, responding to questions from the press. 2025.6.24 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

Having served as the 31st Minister of Unification during the Roh Moo Hyun administration from 2004 to 2005 and having led the Kaesong Industrial Complex project, Jeong also expressed his intention to resume operations at the currently closed Kaesong Industrial Complex. He stated, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex should be referred to differently, such as Kaesong Peace City or Kaesong Peace District."

Jeong also revealed plans to reorganize the Ministry of Unification, whose structure was partially reduced under the previous administration. He said, "The Inter-Korean Relations Management Division is a historic building that produced the 9·19 Joint Statement, a monumental achievement in Korean diplomatic history. The new name feels unfamiliar," and added, "It is necessary to redefine the role, function, and status of the Ministry of Unification."