Seoul: The unification and foreign ministries have launched a vice ministerial-level consultative channel to coordinate policies on North Korea, according to officials. Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung and Jeong Yeon-doo, vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence at the foreign ministry, convened a luncheon meeting earlier in the day for the inaugural session of these regular consultations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the establishment of this consultative channel comes in response to a subtle mismatch between the ministries regarding leadership in consultations with the United States on North Korea policy. This initiative aims to streamline efforts and ensure cohesive policy-making.

Previously, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young declared that his ministry would oversee consultations with the U.S. concerning policies related to the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations. This declaration followed the foreign ministry's launch of a regular consultative body with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul last month to address North Korea policy.

The unification ministry emphasized the importance of frequent meetings to share information on North Korea's recent activities and to discuss views on North Korea policy.