Concerns are mounting regarding South Korea’s unification policy as experts highlight a noticeable shift in direction. According to Cho Young-ki, secretary general of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of the Korean Peninsula and former professor at Korea University, the policy is losing focus amid North Korea’s apparent move towards establishing a fourth-generation hereditary succession.
Cho draws attention to recent coverage by North Korean state media showcasing Kim Jong Un‘s daughter, Ju-ae. He notes her prominent role during New Year events and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a significant site that houses the remains of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. This, he argues, indicates a deliberate political maneuver to elevate her status, potentially ahead of an upcoming party congress.
In his analysis, Cho posits that such a succession would further entrench what he describes as “extractive institutions” in North Korea. He suggests this shift is likely to exacerbate poverty and repression, creating significant barriers to unification. He contrasts these extractive systems with what he terms “inclusive institutions,” arguing that South Korea’s strategy should pivot towards fostering inclusive political and economic structures within the North.
Criticism of the Ministry of Unification has intensified, with Cho arguing that the ministry has strayed from its original unification strategy in favor of engagement that he characterizes as appeasement. He cites recent reports from the ministry that indicate the discontinuation of the “North Korean Human Rights Center” and a rebranding of “North Korean human rights” to “inter-Korean human rights cooperation.” This change, Cho contends, risks implying that the human rights conditions in both Koreas are comparable, thereby downplaying the severe abuses that are prevalent in North Korea.
Moreover, he links this shift in language to North Korea’s framing of itself as a “two-state” entity, a stance that has gained traction since Kim’s 2023 declarations. Cho warns that North Korea’s ongoing emphasis on bolstering its nuclear arsenal suggests that it has not abandoned its coercive goals. He challenges the complacent assumptions surrounding the idea that Pyongyang would refrain from utilizing nuclear weapons.
Despite a growing public skepticism regarding unification, Cho insists that the ministry must continue advocating for unification and adopt a self-directed approach that safeguards South Korea’s rights and security while also supporting the residents of North Korea. He underscores the critical role of information access as a policy tool, pointing out Pyongyang’s efforts to block foreign information as evidence of its impact on the North Korean populace.
Cho calls for an urgent reevaluation of the government’s unification policy framework to address the changing dynamics on the Korean Peninsula. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and reflect a significant concern regarding the future of unification efforts.
