The South Korean presidential office issued a sharp rebuttal on Thursday to liberal politicians’ calls for the peaceful coexistence of North and South Korea, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to peaceful reunification under President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recently announced “Unification Doctrine.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity in Prague, an official from President Yoon’s office dismissed the notion of peaceful coexistence as being aligned with the North Korean regime’s objectives, emphasizing that any path short of reunification, including proposals for a confederation system, is “anticonstitutional.”
“The peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula has garnered the support of the international community, including the Czech Republic,” the official said, reiterating South Korea’s goal of a unified peninsula that is “denuclearized, free, peaceful, and prosperous.”
This stance marks a distinct divide between the current conservative government and the preceding liberal administration led by former President Moon Jae-in, whose vision of peace with North Korea through dialogue and coexistence is being challenged under the Yoon administration.
Revisiting the North-South Divide
The ongoing debate over the future of the Korean Peninsula comes at a crucial juncture. Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, the two Koreas have remained technically at war, with the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the peninsula into two opposing states. The Korean Peninsula has long been a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, with global powers like the United States, China, and Russia playing significant roles in shaping the region’s stability.
Under Moon Jae-in’s presidency (2017–2022), the focus was on fostering peace and engagement with North Korea through several high-profile summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The efforts culminated in the 2018 inter-Korean summit, which laid the groundwork for several agreements, including a comprehensive military pact to reduce hostilities and avoid military clashes along the DMZ.
However, since Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022, the political landscape in Seoul has shifted toward a more conservative and hardline approach toward Pyongyang, prioritizing reunification over coexistence and reinforcing military readiness.
A Clash of Visions: Coexistence vs. Reunification
At the heart of the current political divide in South Korea is the debate over whether the two Koreas should aim for peaceful coexistence as separate entities or pursue reunification under one flag. Former President Moon Jae-in, in a forum held in Gwangju on Thursday to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the 2018 inter-Korean summit, argued for a re-evaluation of Seoul’s policy toward the North.
“The discourse over peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula needs a complete review,” Moon said, advocating for a more pragmatic approach that acknowledges the complexities of the relationship between the two Koreas.
Im Jong-seok, Moon’s former chief of staff, echoed this sentiment during the same forum, calling for the acceptance of the notion of a confederation of the two Koreas—a system that would allow the two states to coexist while maintaining their respective governments. Im also urged the repeal of South Korea’s National Security Act, which he described as a hindrance to fostering genuine peace and reconciliation between the two nations.
“The article in our Constitution, which states that the territory of South Korea shall consist of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands, creates an aversion to a proactive peace process and reconciliation, as well as a longstanding ideological conflict,” Im said, arguing that constitutional reform is necessary to create space for peace talks.
Yoon’s Unification Doctrine: A Conservative Vision
In contrast, President Yoon’s administration remains firmly committed to the goal of reunification, as enshrined in the “Unification Doctrine” unveiled in August. The doctrine advocates for a peaceful, denuclearized, and unified Korean Peninsula and calls for expanding the rights of North Korean citizens as a means to bring about gradual reunification.
According to the Yoon administration, the confederation system proposed by Im and others sympathetic to coexistence aligns too closely with North Korea’s preferences and poses risks to South Korea’s constitutional order. The official from Yoon’s office described the idea of peaceful coexistence with North Korea as an attempt to “sympathize with the intention of the North Korea regime,” signaling a deep distrust of Pyongyang’s motives.
The Yoon administration’s hardline stance also draws on a fundamental belief that North Korea, under the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong-un, is unlikely to engage in good faith discussions about peace or coexistence without maintaining its nuclear arsenal and aggressive posture. The administration views denuclearization as a non-negotiable precondition for peace, a stance that has received support from South Korea’s allies, including the United States.
One of the key arguments presented by President Yoon’s office in defense of the Unification Doctrine is the growing international support for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The official speaking in Prague highlighted that many countries, including the Czech Republic, back South Korea’s efforts to bring about a unified peninsula.
“The peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula has garnered the support of the international community,” the official said, adding that Seoul’s approach aligns with the global consensus on reducing regional tensions and preventing further nuclear proliferation in East Asia.
Yoon’s strategy involves not only addressing the internal dynamics of the Korean Peninsula but also leveraging diplomatic partnerships to isolate North Korea. By aligning with Western allies, including the United States and European Union members, Yoon hopes to maintain economic sanctions on North Korea while building up the South’s military capabilities.
North Korea’s Rejection of Reunification
Despite South Korea’s overtures for reunification, the prospect remains dim due to North Korea’s staunch opposition. In December 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly declared that reunification “can never be achieved,” framing the two Koreas as “hostile states.” The regime in Pyongyang has shown little interest in dialogue since the breakdown of nuclear talks with the U.S. in 2019 and has continued to test ballistic missiles, prompting condemnation from the international community.
For North Korea, the idea of a confederation may be more palatable than full reunification under South Korean leadership. However, the North’s ultimate goal remains the preservation of its regime and its nuclear capabilities, which it views as essential to its survival. The Yoon administration’s demand for denuclearization before any meaningful peace process effectively blocks any immediate possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs.
The domestic debate over South Korea’s policy toward the North has significant implications for the country’s political landscape. The Yoon administration’s hardline approach appeals to conservative voters who prioritize national security and are skeptical of engagement with North Korea. On the other hand, liberals argue that Yoon’s policies are too rigid and could escalate tensions rather than reduce them.
Former President Moon Jae-in’s calls for peaceful coexistence reflect a broader belief among liberal factions that engagement, rather than confrontation, is the best path forward. The legacy of the 2018 inter-Korean summit, though now largely dismantled, remains a potent symbol of what diplomacy could achieve. For liberals, the prospect of war on the peninsula is far more alarming than the slow, incremental process of building trust between the two Koreas.
The Path Forward: Peace or Reunification?
As South Korea grapples with its future relationship with the North, the stark divide between peaceful coexistence and reunification continues to shape the country’s political discourse. While President Yoon’s administration is committed to its vision of a unified, denuclearized peninsula, the challenges are immense, with North Korea remaining belligerent and global power dynamics shifting.
Ultimately, the path forward for the Korean Peninsula may depend on whether a balance can be struck between these competing visions. The Yoon administration’s doctrine of reunification offers a long-term solution, but it faces significant obstacles both domestically and internationally. Conversely, the concept of peaceful coexistence, as proposed by the liberals, may offer a more immediate route to stability, though it comes with the risk of legitimizing North Korea’s authoritarian regime.
For now, South Korea remains caught between these two visions, each presenting its own risks and rewards. The future of the Korean Peninsula, and the possibility of peace or reunification, remains as uncertain as ever.
