Seoul: A unification advisory council stated on Friday that the use of North Korea's official name, the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), has been a common practice in inter-Korean agreements for the past three decades. The council intervened to address the controversy surrounding its usage.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the council, consisting of former unification ministers and experts on inter-Korean relations, discussed the matter during a meeting with Unification Minister Chung Dong-young at the government complex. They highlighted that the name, the DPRK, has been included in over 100 inter-Korean documents.

Lim Dong-won, a former unification minister under President Kim Dae-jung, emphasized that the June 15 inter-Korean summit declaration in 2000 referred to the two Koreas by their official names, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the DPRK. This historic agreement, signed by Kim and then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, aimed to enhance ties, reduce military tensions, and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Lim further noted, "People may think using 'Joson' is something entirely new, but that is not true," addressing North Korea's Korean-language name for itself. He stressed the need to shift public perception on this issue.

Jeong Se-hyun, who also served as unification minister under the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations, pointed out that more than 100 inter-Korean documents since 1991 have utilized the name. "Why are people so afraid to verbally use it?" he questioned.

Paik Nak-chung, an emeritus professor at Seoul National University, recalled former President Roh Tae-woo's reference to North Korea as the DPRK in his 1988 United Nations address, highlighting the long-standing tradition. He argued, "Refusing to use it is almost like picking a fight."

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young also referenced reporting guidelines established in 1995 by media groups, which recommended referring to the North as the DPRK. He stated, "It is now up to the media whether to accept this or keep using the name as a political weapon."

At a recent policy briefing, the minister proposed calling the North by its official name to demonstrate respect and foster trust. President Lee Jae Myung advised caution, warning that the move could spark unnecessary political disputes and urged thorough preparation. The ministry indicated it would not proceed with the plan independently but would instead support public debate on the issue.