Minister of Unification Yu Woo Ik has once again reiterated the need for the South to adopt a flexible approach to North Korea policy while maintaining the basic principles that have always been a key feature of the Lee administration’s stance.
Speaking to the Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the National Assembly this morning, Yu explained that such flexibility is necessary in order to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, as well as to relieve inter-Korean tensions.
“North Korea needs to first take responsible measures vis the problem of Korean Peninsula denuclearization and the two military provocations, so that inter-Korean relations may develop effectively,” Yu stated, adding, “We hope that the North shares the same view on the development of relations.”
Emphasizing the need for responsible conduct from the North, Yu also added, “The South Korean government has been maintaining the consistent principles of the May 24th measures with this in mind, while advancing inter-Korean dialogue between the two sides so as to encourage North Korea to apologize and act responsibly.”
However, Yu added that despite all these efforts, there still remain a few areas of inadequacy that may be improved upon, but asked lawmakers and the public to appreciate that “the government is moving through very troubled waters caused by the North’s military provocations on Yeonpyeong Island and vis the Cheonan.”
Finally, Yu explained that discussion of policy on issues such as humanitarian aid and uncontroversial inter-Korean exchanges in order to assist the vulnerable classes in the North is underway.
