South Korea shifts focus to ‘peaceful coexistence' with North Korea instead of 'confrontation'

Unification Ministry white paper marks departure from Yoon-era pressure tactics, eyes trust-building with Pyongyang

The South Korean government under President Lee Jae Myung has shifted its focus to “peaceful coexistence” withNorth Korearather than "pressure. confrontation," a white paper released by the Unification Ministry showed Monday, local media reported.

The annual paper. striking a distinctly different tone from the previous government, reflects the push by the Lee administration, which took office in June last year, to repair the strained inter-Korean relationship based on building mutual trust,Yonhap News Agencyreported.

The previous conservative government of PresidentYoon Suk Yeolsought to bring about change in North Korea through pressure. an influx of outside information.

Citing three key guiding principles, the paper said Seoul respects North Korea's system, does not pursue unification by absorption. does not engage in hostile activities.

Read:South Korea calls for resuming dialogue with North

It also cited the Lee government's decision to halt the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets to North Korea. to stop loudspeaker broadcasts along the border as steps to ease military tension and rebuild trust.

The paper also outlines plans to revive the inter-Korean military agreement signed by then-President Moon Jae-in. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on September 19, 2018 and pursue a bilateral accord to establish a systematic foundation for peaceful coexistence.

Inter-Korean relations remain virtually frozen, as there have been no personal. economic exchanges in five years between the two arch-rivals. North Korea earlier this month revised its constitution toremove all referencesto unification and cut off remaining ties with South Korea.

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see ourComments FAQ