[Exclusive] Professor Chung Daejin Nominated as First Secretary for Unification Policy in President Lee Jaemyung's Office

Chung Daejin Appointed as First Secretary for Unification Policy,
Also Served as Policy Advisor in National Policy Planning Committee
President Lee Continues Conciliatory Measures Toward North Korea,
Including Dismantling Loudspeakers and Halting

It has been confirmed that Professor Chung Daejin of Halla University has been appointed as the first Secretary for Unification Policy in the presidential office under the Lee Jaemyung administration. This appointment comes about 80 days after the launch of the administration and is expected to play a key role in concretizing President Lee Jaemyung's vision to restore communication with North Korea and resolve hostile relations.

Yonhap News

According to the ruling party on the 25th, the presidential office has appointed Professor Chung Daejin as Secretary for Unification Policy under the Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office. Professor Chung, who holds a doctorate in unification studies, is an expert who has been active not only in inter-Korean relations but also in the fields of Northeast Asian diplomacy and security. He also served as a policy advisor for diplomacy and security on the National Policy Planning Committee, which established the Lee Jaemyung administration's national agenda.

Under Lim Woongsun, the Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office, there are secretaries responsible for both diplomatic and unification policy. Given that President Lee has consistently emphasized the importance of inter-Korean relations for national interests, especially since his Liberation Day address marking the 80th anniversary, the Secretary for Unification Policy is expected to take on a full-fledged "think tank" role.

Since taking office, President Lee has continued a conciliatory approach toward North Korea by removing loudspeakers at the border and halting leaflet campaigns. In his Liberation Day address marking the 80th anniversary, he sent a conciliatory gesture by stating, "We respect the current system in the North, will not pursue any form of absorption unification, and have no intention of engaging in any hostile acts." President Lee also said, "To prevent accidental clashes and build military trust between the two Koreas, we will proactively and gradually restore the September 19 Military Agreement."

Additionally, at his first Ulchi National Security Council (NSC) meeting since taking office, President Lee reiterated that the Ulchi exercise is defensive in nature, aimed at protecting the lives and safety of the Korean people, and that there is no intention to attack North Korea or escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He specifically instructed relevant ministries to "prepare for the phased implementation of feasible parts of existing inter-Korean agreements."

However, North Korea continues to criticize President Lee's conciliatory policy. On August 20, Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, mentioned President Lee by name through the Korean Central News Agency, stating, "South Korea cannot be a diplomatic counterpart for our country," and "Lee Jaemyung is not someone who can change the historical trend of South Korea's confrontational ambitions toward our republic." She even used harsh language, calling President Lee's conciliatory remarks "delusional and a pipe dream." In response, the presidential office expressed regret, stating, "It is unfortunate to see the sincerity distorted," but maintained a patient stance.

The Secretary for Unification Policy is also expected to contribute to strategies for cooperation with the United States and Japan to improve inter-Korean relations. In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun just before the Korea-Japan summit, President Lee said, "Rather than a confrontational policy toward the North, we must find a path to peaceful coexistence, mutual recognition, and respect for joint prosperity." He added, "We need to take the initiative, open the door, seek ways to engage in dialogue and cooperation, and work to reduce hostility." He also stated, "While maintaining close cooperation with the United States, we will create conditions through active inter-Korean dialogue that will allow us to freeze, reduce, and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons."