On Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the alleged discord with the Ministry of Unification, emphasizing that both ministries are part of a unified government team. They stated that they are working closely together, consulting, and communicating effectively in matters of foreign policy and national security.
During a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il responded to questions about recent media reports suggesting a rift between the two ministries. He firmly stated that these concerns do not align with the facts.
Park explained that despite the current suspension of dialogue with North Korea, both ministries are collaborating closely to create favorable conditions for resuming talks. He assured that they will continue to work as a unified team, putting forth their best efforts.
Earlier that morning, only representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense attended the Follow-up Consultation on the Joint Fact Sheet from the U.S.-Korea Summit. The Ministry of Unification had announced its non-participation the previous day, arguing that it was inappropriate for the Foreign Ministry to lead North Korea policy.
The meeting, initially titled Regular Consultation on North Korean Policy (Coordination Meeting), was renamed Follow-up Consultation on the Joint Fact Sheet. Analysts suggest this change was a strategic move to downplay any apparent discord, particularly given the Unification Ministry’s absence.
According to comprehensive reporting by News1, the Foreign Ministry has decided against directly countering the Unification Ministry’s stance. This approach aims to prevent potential escalation of inter-ministerial conflicts that could arise from outright rebuttals.
When asked about sharing the contents of recent U.S.-Korea consultations with the Unification Ministry, spokesperson Park affirmed, Of course, indicating their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication and cooperation not only with the U.S. but also with the Unification Ministry.