South Korea Prioritizes Peace Talks Over Denuclearisation in North Korea Policy Shift
The South Korean government under President Lee Jae-myung has formally announced a major policy shift towards North Korea, moving away from demanding denuclearisation as a primary prerequisite and instead prioritizing peace talks. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated that if Pyongyang halts its nuclear arsenal development, it will receive 'tangible compensation' from Seoul. The minister assessed that the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping this autumn will be crucial for resuming inter-Korean negotiations. Additionally, the arrival of new US Ambassador Michelle Steel in late July may provide further diplomatic momentum. In a related social policy change, the term 'defectors from the North' will be replaced with 'people with northern roots' to emphasize integration. Despite the shift, Pyongyang continues to view its nuclear arsenal as a security guarantor and considers South Korea its greatest threat. Analysts expect a positive reaction from North Korea to Seoul's conciliatory approach.
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