Jeong Dongyoung: "Two-State Theory Will Be Confirmed as Government Position"

On October 14, Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung stated that the "two-state theory," which asserts that South and North Korea exist as separate states, "will be confirmed as the government's position."

Minister Jeong made this remark during the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, after being questioned by Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo of the People Power Party about whether he would continue to advocate for the two-state theory despite differences with the National Security Office and other agencies. He responded, "Discussions are ongoing among government ministries," and clarified 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 Administration" 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

Regarding Assemblyman Ahn's point that Article 3 of the Constitution, which states "The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands," conflicts with the two-state theory, Minister Jeong countered, "There is no conflict at all." He explained, "The second stage of the national community unification plan, which was promoted through bipartisan agreement in 1994, is the confederation stage, and that is precisely the two-state stage." He added, "Institutionalizing two peaceful states is what opens the door to unification. The reason we cannot achieve unification now is because we have not yet reached the stage of two states."

Minister Jeong also addressed National Security Office Director Wi Sunglak's statement that inter-Korean relations are a "provisional special relationship" rather than two states, saying, "We are in complete agreement." He explained, "Inter-Korean relations are two states within the provisional special relationship formed in the process toward unification."

In response to Assemblyman Ahn's claim that this perspective contradicts both the Constitution and President Lee Jaemyung's views, Minister Jeong stated, "Peaceful coexistence between South and North Korea is impossible as two hostile states; it is only possible when we become two peaceful states." He further clarified, "It is a de facto two-state situation, but it has not been legally recognized."