Chung Dong-young on President Lee's Cautious Stance: 'Clear Commitment to Peaceful Coexistence'

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated regarding President Lee Jae-myung's call for a cautious approach to North Korea policy during a work briefing, "I believe he expressed a firm commitment to peaceful coexistence along with encouragement and support for the Ministry of Unification."

Speaking to reporters on his way to work at the Government Complex-Seoul this morning (the 6th) in response to a question about yesterday's (the 5th) work briefing, Minister Chung said, 'The President emphasized that 'peace is rice' and 'peace is the economy.' He said that although it may be as difficult as shouting without an echo, we must continue our peaceful coexistence policy with patience," conveying his message.

Addressing interpretations that the remarks ordered the Ministry of Unification to "adjust its speed," he added, "Isn't the commitment to peaceful coexistence clear? I hope people will listen to the footage of the work briefing as it is once again."

During his opening remarks at the work briefing presided over at the Blue House yesterday (the 5th), President Lee requested caution, saying, "The peaceful coexistence policy has aspects of being politically exploited," and "We must be very careful and even more cautious."

Regarding Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's assessment of the Ministry of Unification's work briefing as "idealistic," Minister Chung remarked, "You need ideals to change reality," while also noting, "I think cooperating well with each other helps the government."

After finishing the second-half work briefing held at the Blue House yesterday (the 5th), Minister Cho mentioned during a press briefing regarding the Ministry of Unification's announcement to secure momentum for four-way dialogue involving South and North Korea, the United States, and China, calling it "idealistic" and adding, "I hope you will discount it (meaning to dismiss or downplay it)."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.