Presidential Office: "We Will Consider the Opinions of Not Only the Unification Ministry but Also the Ministry of National Defense and Other Relevant Ministries"
Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, is paying silent tribute at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 28th. 2025.7.28 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News
Speaking with reporters at the Government Complex Seoul that afternoon, Minister Chung responded to a question about whether he would propose an adjustment to the South Korea-US joint exercise by saying, "I am considering it," and added, "I believe adjustments are fully possible depending on our government's will." He continued, "Tomorrow (the 29th), there will be a working-level coordination meeting at the National Security Office, attended by vice ministers from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Unification, as well as deputy directors from the National Intelligence Service and the National Security Office. This issue will also be a major topic of discussion there."
However, an official from the presidential office stated, "The decision on adjusting the South Korea-US joint exercise will be made after considering the opinions not only of the Unification Minister but also of the Minister of National Defense and other relevant ministries."
Minister Chung also commented on Kim Yo-jong, the deputy director of the Workers' Party of Korea and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, showing a cold response to South Korea's conciliatory gestures. He said, "There is still a lack of trust between the two Koreas, and the wall of distrust is high." He added, "Previously, the Russian foreign minister said that North Korea would watch the actions of the new government and that inter-Korean relations would depend on it. As stated in Deputy Director Kim's statement, I think the August South Korea-US joint exercise may serve as a barometer."
Regarding concerns that reducing the scale of the South Korea-US joint exercise could provoke backlash both domestically and internationally, he said, "What is clear is that the policy direction of the Lee Jaemyung administration is different from that of the Yoon Sukyeol administration." He emphasized, "The direction of the South Korea-US joint exercise will not simply follow that of the Yoon Sukyeol administration. We will proceed cautiously."
When asked whether it is realistically possible to postpone or reduce the South Korea-US joint exercise, which has been prepared for over a year, he replied, "I believe adjustments are fully possible depending on our government's will," and added, "We need to bring together various opinions."
Meanwhile, Minister Chung announced that he had instructed the Ministry of Unification to fully allow civilian contact for inter-Korean exchanges. He said, "We will not operate under a permit system as currently stipulated by law, but will process contacts according to the provision that allows for approval upon notification. In other words, people only need to notify, and there will be no limit on contact." He also revealed plans to establish a social dialogue body within the Ministry of Unification called the "Citizen Sovereignty North Korea Policy Task Force" to build public consensus on North Korea policy.
Additionally, Minister Chung disclosed a recent incident in which Cardinal You Heung-sik was denied entry to Panmunjom by the United Nations Command (UNC). He said, "Cardinal You was very disappointed and said, 'It would be better to make it known that the UNC blocked me so that this issue can be resolved.' As a sovereign nation, this is something that should not happen," he strongly criticized.
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