What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties



Analysis What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties North Korea likely to condemn Kim Yung-ho’s appointment, as Yoon remakes what he has disparaged as DPRK ‘aid ministry’ James Fretwell July 7, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addresses a conservative group on June 28, 2023 \| Image: South Korean Presidential Office The nomination of a professor who has called for North Korean regime change to serve as Seoul’s next unification minister has proven controversial in South Korea, drawing criticism from those who see his views as antithetical to the ministry’s remit of facilitating inter-Korean cooperation. Despite the noise surrounding Kim Yung-ho, the lack of current inter-Korean engagement suggests that there’s little he could do as minister to change the course of ties with Pyongyang. The nomination of a professor who has called for North Korean regime change to serve as Seoul’s next unification minister has proven controversial in South Korea, drawing criticism from those who see his views as antithetical to the ministry’s remit of facilitating inter-Korean cooperation. Despite the noise surrounding Kim Yung-ho, the lack of current inter-Korean engagement suggests that there’s little he could do as minister to change the course of ties with Pyongyang. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties

North Korea likely to condemn Kim Yung-ho’s appointment, as Yoon remakes what he has disparaged as DPRK ‘aid ministry’

James Fretwell July 7, 2023

What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addresses a conservative group on June 28, 2023 | Image: South Korean Presidential Office

The nomination of a professor who has called for North Korean regime change to serve as Seoul’s next unification minister has proven controversial in South Korea, drawing criticism from those who see his views as antithetical to the ministry’s remit of facilitating inter-Korean cooperation.

Despite the noise surrounding Kim Yung-ho, the lack of current inter-Korean engagement suggests that there’s little he could do as minister to change the course of ties with Pyongyang.

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