Seoul: Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung has called for the swift restoration of suspended dialogue channels with North Korea as he presided over a ministry meeting following his appointment. The ministry reported that Kim emphasized the importance of addressing urgent issues, particularly the restoration of communication channels between South and North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim urged senior ministry officials to work towards resolving these pressing matters. He stressed the need for efforts aligned with President Lee Jae Myung's state affairs stance, which focuses on peaceful co-existence and fostering a peace economy. The vice minister's call to action is in line with President Lee's commitment to quickly restore the suspended channels to reduce military tensions and promote peace between the two Koreas.

Since April 2023, North Korea has not responded to South Korea's attempts to communicate via all inter-Korean liaison channels. Kim, who previously served as a standing representative for inter-Korean talks, is one of the five vice ministers recently appointed by President Lee. He officially assumed his role earlier in the day.