S. Korea unification ministry's bid to lead North Korea policy raises U.S. friction concerns

Dec. 18 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's Unification Ministry is seeking a larger role in shaping North Korea policy, but critics and officials say the push may be unrealistic as Pyongyang moves to define inter-Korean relations as "hostile two states" and as policy coordination with the United States remains central.

The debate has sharpened as expectations grow that North Korea will formalize the "hostile two-state" line in amendments to its party charter and constitution at a party congress expected next year.

In recent weeks, the Unification Ministry said it would not participate in follow-up consultations led by the Foreign Ministry on the South Korea-U.S. summit joint fact sheet, viewing the talks as tied to denuclearization and sanctions policy, according to the report.

The ministry has also pushed back against the U.N. Command's opposition to proposed legislation that would expand Seoul's authority over civilian access to parts of the Demilitarized Zone, saying the Armistice Agreement does not prohibit the peaceful use of the DMZ and backing the bill.

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Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Cheong-rae backed the Unification Ministry's stance, warning that requiring U.S. approval for every step could tighten constraints on efforts to resolve inter-Korean relations, the report said.

A senior Unification Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ministry's current actions are likely to be misunderstood in Washington and warned that as arguments for greater autonomy grow stronger, "cracks" could surface in the South Korea-U.S. relationship.

The official also questioned whether North Korea, which has reorganized agencies handling South Korea policy and frames ties as state-to-state, would recognize the Unification Ministry's traditional role. The official said an approach centered on the Foreign Ministry and the United States is the most realistic given that denuclearization remains the core issue.

Foreign Ministry officials signaled an effort to prevent the dispute from escalating. A senior official said criticism from former unification ministers should be taken seriously and addressed to avoid misunderstandings, and added that the Unification Ministry could provide explanations to the U.S. side as needed, calling it the ministry with which the Foreign Ministry maintains the closest cooperation and communication.

Some observers said tensions between ministries could weaken Seoul's negotiating leverage with Washington, particularly as the Foreign Ministry handles practical North Korea policy coordination as well as security and tariff negotiations.

Cho Han-beom, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said the dispute reflects methodological differences, with one side emphasizing progress through inter-Korean engagement and the other prioritizing movement in U.S.-North Korea talks before inter-Korean steps. He said the Unification Ministry's intent to break the deadlock is understandable, but constraints tied to the South Korea-U.S. relationship and the U.N. Command structure must be weighed.

- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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