Jung Dong-young, the Minister of Unification, emphasized on the 14th that "the first key to breaking the current deadlock on the Korean Peninsula must be a North Korea-U.S. summit," highlighting the government's proactive role in facilitating dialogue between the two nations.
In his welcoming remarks at the '2026 Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Policy Festa' held at the National Assembly, Jung stated, "I believe North Korea also has a strategic need for dialogue with the U.S.," and stressed the importance of actively creating and promoting an environment conducive to North Korea-U.S. talks.
His comments come in the wake of North Korea's recent short-range ballistic missile launch on the 12th, underscoring the necessity of a shift in the situation through dialogue.
Jung assessed that President Donald Trump's willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea stems from long-standing interest and planning. He noted that some interpreted Trump's directive to reduce U.S.-South Korea military exercises last month as a minor gesture, but pointed out that Trump has expressed his intention to meet directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula since his candidacy.
He also referenced analyses by American political scientists, explaining that Trump prioritizes North Korea dialogue and the dismantling of Cold War tensions on the Korean Peninsula as part of his legacy.
Regarding the current state of inter-Korean relations, Jung described it as being in a "state of complete blockage for over seven years," but expressed optimism, stating, "Nothing in this world remains unchanged. I believe this situation will inevitably change."
He added, "Following this shift in circumstances, a new era of inter-Korean peace exchange and cooperation will surely arrive," urging preparations for the resumption of exchanges in collaboration with local governments.
Jung also proposed improvements to the system related to inter-Korean exchanges. He announced plans to reform the 'North Korean Resident Contact Reporting Guidelines' established under the Lee Jae-myung administration, transitioning to a self-completing reporting system through legal amendments.
He pointed out that the existing reporting system has effectively operated as an approval and permit system, stating, "Our citizens, as sovereign individuals, should be able to report on their own decisions, and that should be sufficient to complete the process." He explained that the requirement to submit a report within a week of contact often leads to situations where actual contact does not occur, rendering the system ineffective.
Jung also called for local governments to participate in cooperation with North Korea. He noted that local governments are also key players in inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, citing the example of Jeju Island's support for pine tree pest control.
He mentioned that North Korea is pursuing a 'Local Development 20x10 Policy' to modernize local factories and hospitals, expressing hope that the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Local Government Council could assist in North Korea's local development plans.
Meanwhile, the event also featured a 'Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Mutual Agreement Ceremony' attended by over 200 participants, including members of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Unification, local governments, and civil society organizations.
The participating organizations adopted a joint declaration on 'cooperation and mutual growth for peace coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.' The declaration emphasizes the consistent promotion of peace coexistence policies, cooperation in restoring civilian exchanges and peace consensus, and exploring collaborative measures in education and border areas.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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