Prime Minister Kim Sends First New Year Message to North Korea: "Keeping the Door Open for Dialogue"

Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated on January 2, "We will not stop our efforts for peace," adding, "The government will continue to keep the door open for dialogue with North Korea and work to create a Korean Peninsula of peaceful coexistence and prosperity."

Prime Minister Kim Minseok delivers a New Year's address at the 2026 government opening ceremony held at the main auditorium of the Government Complex Sejong on January 2, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

At the 2026 government opening ceremony held at the Government Complex Sejong on this day, Prime Minister Kim said in his address, "Since its launch, the Lee Jaemyung administration has reduced wasteful conflicts such as the trash balloons and loudspeakers through proactive measures." His remarks are seen as placing emphasis on the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue, at a time when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification have been competing for leadership over North Korea policy direction within the government.

Since its inauguration, the Lee Jaemyung administration has continued to propose dialogue with North Korea under the banner of a 'peaceful two-state theory,' but North Korea has not shown any particular response. In this year's New Year's address by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, there was no mention of external messages toward South Korea or the United States. However, with the possibility of a dramatic shift in the situation on the Korean Peninsula due to the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations and U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China in April, the government is preparing for various scenarios.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok and other ministers are taking a commemorative photo at the 2026 government opening ceremony held at the main auditorium of the Government Complex Sejong on January 2, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim presented "open government" as the key theme for this year's policy direction. He said, "Making government work reports public has given citizens a sense of efficacy and brought a sense of tension to the public sector," adding, "This tension will save the government and save the Republic of Korea." He further emphasized, "The essence of this tension is that all public officials have begun to be evaluated transparently before the people, who are the sovereign." He continued, "We will further increase the public disclosure of government affairs, not only at the Blue House but also in each ministry, to build greater responsibility and trust."

In addition, he announced plans to focus on nurturing five major future strategic industries: AI, biotechnology, culture, defense, and energy. Prime Minister Kim said, "To realize a 'cultural powerhouse' that adds value and competitiveness to all industries, the government will firmly support and trust the creativity of the private sector."

Prime Minister Kim encouraged public officials, stating, "2026 will be the first year of a great leap forward for the Republic of Korea," and called on them to "be more humble before the people and work together to build a government that responds to the public with results and trust."