Seoul: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Thursday emphasized U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China as a critical opportunity to renew engagement with North Korea, urging Seoul and Beijing to act as mediators.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung made these comments during a lecture at the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council meeting in Seoul, as South Korea intensifies its efforts to restart stalled exchanges and dialogue with Pyongyang to promote peace. The minister highlighted Trump's planned discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this April as a pivotal moment, suggesting that the U.S. president's Asia visit might lead to a renewed dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Chung expressed optimism that if Trump and Kim were to meet during this visit, it could pave the way for increased inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges. He cautioned that missing this opportunity in April could make it challenging to find another suitable moment for engagement.

The minister called on Seoul and Beijing to assume the roles of mediators and promoters in facilitating renewed dialogue with Pyongyang and suggested enlisting support from Japan and Russia to encourage North Korea to return to the negotiating table.

Additionally, Chung supported a legislative proposal to grant the South Korean government control over non-military access to the Demilitarized Zone, criticizing the U.N. Command's current control as misaligned with public sentiment.