[Reporter’s Notebook] The Power Struggle Over North Korea Policy Is Outdated

"Once upon a time, the self-reliance faction and the alliance faction fought each other..."

This was almost like an oral folktale among diplomats. It was never officially recorded, yet everyone knew the story because it was passed down by word of mouth. When the new administration began and the names Wi Sunglak and Lee Jongseok surfaced simultaneously, this old rumor naturally came to mind, though many doubted it could be true.

However, the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actually clashed in public over consultations on South Korea-U.S. North Korea policy. Is this a renewed war between the self-reliance and alliance factions? Government officials say, "It's not an issue that can be seen so simply." The "South Korea-U.S. North Korea policy consultations," which became the flashpoint for the conflict, are both natural and expected. Yet the Ministry of Unification fiercely objected, calling it a "second South Korea-U.S. working group" and even boycotted it. Former ministers joined in, suddenly criticizing, "We cannot entrust North Korea policy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which lacks expertise." But how many people would agree with the claim that Wi Sunglak, the National Security Office Chief from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or Jeong Yeondu, Director-General of the Foreign Policy and Strategy Information Bureau, are "non-experts"?

The core of North Korea policy right now is the North Korean nuclear issue. North Korea today, aiming for nuclear-armed state status, is vastly different from the North Korea of over twenty years ago, when the Minister of Unification served as the standing chairman of the National Security Council (NSC). How many citizens truly believe the Ministry of Unification could resolve the North Korean nuclear issue independently, without diplomatic support? The president has also declared a North Korea-U.S.-first policy. With concerns about "Korea passing" already being raised, it is all the more important for our government to take a proactive approach to close cooperation with our ally, the United States. Nevertheless, calls for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to "stay out" have prompted criticism that "the self-reliance elders' perception of North Korea remains stuck twenty years in the past."

It seems that Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyeong's dissatisfaction with the composition of the NSC had been building for several months. If there is a real problem with the NSC standing committee, it can be addressed by proposing it to the president and amending the presidential decree after internal discussions. No one is fiercely opposed or blocking this, and after all, he is a five-term minister from the ruling party. There is even less need to make the National Security Office's confidential discussions a public issue.

Even a minor rift at the top grows uncontrollably as it moves down the ranks. Excessive wariness and sharp words are exchanged even among officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification. It makes one wonder if the Ministry of Unification’s various ups and downs ultimately stem from an identity crisis. One diplomat remarked pointedly, "The Ministry of Unification, having lost its counterpart, is now embroiled in internal strife."

Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the time will come when the Ministry of Unification, with its half-century tradition as the main department for North Korea policy, will play a central role. It does not necessarily have to be "during Minister Jeong Dongyeong's term." Therefore, there is no need to rush things unnecessarily.