On February 7, the Democratic Party of Korea welcomed the Donald Trump administration’s approval of sanctions exemptions for humanitarian aid projects to North Korea. The party expressed hope that this decision would lead to a virtuous cycle of dialogue and cooperation, potentially marking a turning point for establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Party spokesperson Baek Seung-ah conveyed this message through a written briefing, emphasizing that the Democratic Party will work tirelessly alongside the government to usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
Baek noted that this action demonstrates the international community’s trust and support for the Lee Jae Myung administration’s policies on peaceful coexistence and North Korea. He stated that it could serve as a catalyst for peace in the region, highlighting the significance of the U.S. potentially considering the resumption of dialogue with North Korea.
The spokesperson continued, explaining that the Lee administration has consistently respected all previous inter-Korean agreements. These range from the Basic Agreement on Inter-Korean Relations to the June 15 Joint Declaration, the October 4 Declaration, the Panmunjom Declaration, and the September 19 Joint Declaration. She emphasized that the administration maintains a stance of peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and non-hostility.
Baek urged North Korea to respond responsibly to this development in the interest of peace on the Korean Peninsula. She called on Pyongyang to actively engage in humanitarian cooperation to ease tensions, restore trust, and return to the negotiating table.
Prior to this, the Trump administration had decided to approve sanctions exemptions for humanitarian aid projects that were pending with the United Nations (UN) Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee. A total of 17 such projects have been on hold since the first half of the previous year.
Some analysts interpret this action as President Trump keeping the door open for potential dialogue with North Korea, particularly in light of his upcoming visit to China in April.