Seoul: Seoul's push to seek peaceful coexistence with North Korea is a path that can ultimately and effectively improve human rights conditions in the North, the unification ministry said Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lee Jae Myung government believes fostering inter-Korean peace and expanding dialogue, exchange, and cooperation are more effective in bringing about real improvements in North Korean human rights. A ministry official emphasized these points to reporters following a pivotal meeting.

The remarks were made a day after Lee and European Union (EU) leaders met in Brussels and issued a joint statement urging Pyongyang to cooperate with the international community on human rights. The joint statement highlighted the necessity of a substantial improvement in the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and called on the DPRK to allow access to international and humanitarian organizations.

The call for Pyongyang to open its doors has prompted questions about whether Seoul was taking a harder line toward the North. The ministry official clarified that Seoul's approach remains consistent with its policy of peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and cooperation with North Korea.