South Korea shifts nuclear policy towards ‘peace first’ approach
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is abandoning its “denuclearization first” policy in favor of a “peace first” approach toward North Korea, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday, while retaining the eventual goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, reports BritPanorama.
Chung stated that the ultimate goal of denuclearization had not been abandoned, but the previous policy focusing on denuclearization first has been replaced. This new strategy prioritizes an initial cessation of North Korea’s nuclear activities, he emphasized.
He elaborated that the aim is now to freeze North Korea’s nuclear program, warning that delays would only enable Pyongyang to enhance its nuclear arsenal. As of now, North Korea continues to operate centrifuges at underground uranium-enrichment facilities and a plutonium-producing reactor in Yongbyon, contributing to ongoing capacity increases in nuclear warhead production.
Chung indicated that the insistence on denuclearization as a precondition had stalled talks, a significant concern considering that formal inter-Korean dialogue has been frozen for seven years. “If denuclearization first is placed at the entrance to dialogue, the reality is that dialogue cannot begin,” he noted, reaffirming the government’s repositioning to strive for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
Relations between North Korea and President Lee Jae Myung have deteriorated further, despite Lee’s attempts to reduce tensions, including halting anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts and addressing the dissemination of propaganda leaflets by activists.
In response, Pyongyang has expressed disinterest in Seoul’s proposals and has accused Lee of pursuing a confrontational stance by maintaining close relations with the United States. Nevertheless, Chung articulated a belief that there remains strategic interest for renewed dialogue from both North Korea and the U.S., highlighting anticipated meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as crucial moments for diplomacy.
Chung also remarked on a significant shift in North Korea’s rhetoric; Kim Jong Un recently claimed that the two Koreas are hostile entities rather than potential partners for unification. This departure from traditional views has led Chung to advocate for framing relations under the concept of “two hostile states” as a peaceful two-state relationship, seen as a transitional step towards eventual unification.
Additionally, he proposed that North Korea be referred to as “Choson,” a shortened form of its official name, suggesting a shift in terminology as part of a broader strategy. Experts are currently discussing this proposal, although Chung acknowledged that wider public engagement would require time.
This evolving approach underscores the complexity of inter-Korean relations and the challenges ahead as both countries navigate their future interactions.
