Seoul: The unification ministry on Tuesday defended its newly published white paper against criticism that it violates the Constitution by including controversial "two-state" language. The ministry clarified that this language is part of broader efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry described the "two-state" language as an "implementation strategy" aimed at achieving the current administration's policy of peaceful coexistence with North Korea. It emphasized that this strategy is part of its responsibility as the main government branch tasked with devising policies for peaceful coexistence.
The ministry's statement followed comments from an official who noted that the two-state concept had been previously shared by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. However, the official clarified that this concept reflects the ministry's vision rather than the entire government's policy.
The ministry further explained that the concept does not equate to legal recognition of North Korea as a state. Instead, it respects North Korea's system and sovereignty while acknowledging its de facto statehood. The statement highlighted that the peaceful two-state concept refers to both states joining the United Nations under international law and existing under the Korean commonwealth of the National Community Unification Formula.
The National Community Unification Formula, introduced by South Korea in 1994, is a three-stage vision that includes reconciliation and cooperation, the creation of a Korean commonwealth, and the completion of a unified country. The recently released paper outlines the Lee Jae Myung government's North Korea policy centered around respecting North Korea's system, avoiding unification by absorption, and refraining from hostile activities.
The paper asserts that while Seoul seeks peaceful coexistence with North Korea, the ultimate aim remains unification, acknowledging the reality of South and North Korea's effective existence as two states. It also calls for transforming Pyongyang's "hostile two-state policy" into a "peaceful two-state" relationship, a proposal that has drawn criticism for potentially legitimizing North Korea as a separate sovereign state in violation of the Constitution.
Article 3 of the Constitution states that the territory of the Republic of Korea encompasses the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands. Addressing concerns about the lack of public debate on such a sensitive issue, the ministry official assured that a wide range of opinions would be sought moving forward.