S. Korea’s Unification Minister Visits Japan to Boost Cooperation on Korea Unification

Apr 9

1 min read

News Summary

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho will visit Japan for three days to strengthen cooperation on inter-Korean unification and North Korea policy.

He will meet with top Japanese officials, including Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and brief foreign correspondents on South Korea’s unification approach.

The visit also aims to address issues like the repatriation of North Korean abductees and deepen ties as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.

It reflects Seoul's broader strategy to engage major countries through high-level consultations on unification and North Korea.

Commentary

Despite the upcoming change in administration following President Yoon’s removal, it is imperative for South Korea to maintain continuity in its foreign policy regarding North Korea and unification.

Historically, Seoul’s stance on Pyongyang has varied sharply based on the ruling party’s ideology—progressive administrations favoring engagement, while conservative ones lean toward a hardline posture.

But given the unprecedented instability within the North—driven by internal unrest and global economic turbulence—this is not a time for ideological division.

Regardless of who leads the next administration, Seoul must urgently continue building strong coordination with major powers—Japan, the U.S., China, and Russia—to prepare for contingencies and ensure a stable path forward for the Korean Peninsula.