“I will ponder whether there is the need for flexibility in areas necessary for the practical development of inter-Korean relations,” Yu Woo Ik, President Lee Myung Bak’s nominee for the Ministry of Unification portfolio told reporters during a meeting this morning.
Yu, a close associate of President Lee who previously served as both his chief of staff and South Korea’s ambassador in Beijing, has been nominated to take over from perceived hardliner Hyun In Taek, who was removed from the position yesterday.
Talking with reporters covering the Ministry of Unification, Yu went on to say that he intends to play a his hand well “for the creation of the conditions for peaceful reunification and making difficult inter-Korean relations more secure.”
However, he was guarded on specific issues, including the chances of an inter-Korean summit and how policy might develop with regards to the Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island.
“I shall be faithful to the proper duty of the Ministry of Unification, advancing inter-Korean relations after assessing the hopes of the people and international circumstances,” he noted on the former, while refusing to be drawn on the latter.
However, he was more open about the gas pipeline connecting Russia with South Korea, saying, “I think that infrastructure connected to inter-Korean relations that benefit North and South Korea alike is necessary. But I have not received a full report on that yet, so I shall talk to the people after getting a feel for what can be done in the present circumstances.”
