Jeong Dongyoung: "North and South Korea Are in Effect Two States... This Does Not Mean Permanent Division"

"Preemptive Denuclearization Is an Empty Theory... Trump Is Realistic"

On the 25th, Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung commented on the so-called "two-state theory," stating, "The two Koreas are, in fact, two states, already two states, and two states under international law," adding, "Recognizing North Korea's statehood does not mean permanent division. This is a practical and realistic perspective."

Meeting with reporters at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the same day, Minister Jeong explained, "Except for the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the official unification plan of all our previous governments since the Roh Tae-woo administration has been the 'National Community Unification Plan.' Among its stages, the second stage envisions a confederation in which two systems and two governments function," clarifying his position.

Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, is giving a lecture on the topic of "Turbulent International Situation and the Korean Peninsula, Response Strategy of the Lee Jae-myung Government" at a meeting of first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 25th. 2025.9.25 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Minister Jeong also cited a public opinion survey conducted by the Seoul National University Institute for Peace and Unification Studies, saying, "According to the survey that the institute has been conducting for ten years, between 50% and 60% of respondents answer 'state' when asked whether North Korea is a state," and added, "The reality is that the majority of the public recognizes North Korea as a state."

Previously, on September 23 (local time), Wi Sungrak, Director of the National Security Office, held a meeting in New York and stated regarding the "two-state theory," "Our government does not support or recognize the two-state theory." Some have analyzed that this may indicate a difference in stance from Minister Jeong, who is advocating a "peaceful two-state theory" in response to North Korea's "hostile two-state theory."

Regarding this debate over statehood, Minister Jeong said, "This is only wasteful and conflictual," and continued, "Rather, as President Lee Jaemyung has stated, the task given to the government is to restore dialogue and exchanges, and to pursue the long-cherished goal of cross-recognition among the four powers (the United States, China, Japan, and Russia), thereby achieving North Korea-U.S. and North Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization."

Regarding concerns that the two-state theory could lead to an abandonment of unification, he said, "Some cite Article 3 of the Constitution, the territorial clause (The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands), to argue for the abandonment of unification, but Article 4, the unification clause (The Republic of Korea shall seek unification and formulate and pursue a peaceful unification policy based on the principles of liberal democracy), presupposes division," adding, "Rather than viewing this as a contradiction, I believe it should be understood comprehensively."

He went on to say, "In the case of Germany (West Germany), it signed the Basic Treaty with East Germany, and while West Germany recognized East Germany's statehood, it made it clear that it was not a foreign country," and added, "The idea is to recognize statehood in a practical sense, but only as a step toward eventual unification."

Regarding North Korea's use of the term "Hanjo relations" instead of inter-Korean relations, he said, "Some experts still use the term 'Hanjo relations,' but for the public, it is unfamiliar," and added, "While it may be legally correct, for the government to use it, there must be consensus at the national and public level."

Minister Jeong also identified a North Korea-U.S. summit as a prerequisite for inter-Korean dialogue. He said, "The breakthrough is a North Korea-U.S. summit. While President Donald Trump was a disaster on issues like climate and tariffs, he offered hope regarding the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear issue," and added, "North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un also said in his speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on the 21st that he could meet if the U.S. would only drop the denuclearization demand. We will actively support and back efforts to make a North Korea-U.S. summit happen."

Regarding the speculation that President Trump might accept some of North Korea's demands and exclude denuclearization from the agenda, Minister Jeong commented, "Conservative governments in the past have tried to achieve denuclearization through sanctions, but they have failed. Giving up nuclear weapons through sanctions is not possible for North Korea. Preemptive denuclearization is an empty theory."

Minister Jeong continued, "According to estimates by experts such as the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), North Korea currently possesses up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium, accounting for more than 90% of its stockpile, and its centrifuges are still operating," and added, "As a result of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's mention of preemptive strikes, northward advances, and preemptive denuclearization over the past three years, North Korea's nuclear capability has become virtually unlimited. The urgent task now is to halt this first."

When asked whether President Lee's pledge not to engage in hostile acts against the North means suspending live-fire and maneuver exercises in border areas such as the northwestern islands, he replied, "From the Ministry of Unification's perspective, it is appropriate to suspend the live-fire and maneuver exercises that were halted under the September 19 Military Agreement," adding, "This matter is currently under discussion with the Ministry of National Defense."