Inaugural Speech by the 42nd Minister of Unification, Kwon Youngse
Fellow members of MOU family,
It is nice meeting you all.
I am honored by your warm welcome.
We are at a very important turning point, and I am confident that we
can accomplish a lot together.
First, I would like to wish you all the best.
After being involved in politics for several years, I noticed that
the first minister of a new administration is under a lot of pressure.
Not only will the public’s attention be drawn to us, but we will also
be asked to make countless decisions regarding continuing policies of
the previous government and showing innovation in the new government.
When it comes to unification policies, we have repeatedly seen that
the number of decisions to make according to the nature of the
government is much greater and very complicated under the common goal
of denuclearizing North Korea.
During the confirmation hearing, I emphasized the importance of
continuing the previous governments’ unification policy by using the
word “relay race.” I also believe that the unification policy must be
cumulative and therefore does not progress with us denying past
achievements and changing everything.
Each government may take a different direction and the atmosphere of
the international community changes every day. However, in the end, we
are aiming for unification, a goal that remains unchanged under any circumstances.
Our goal is to create a new and brighter future by building a
unification philosophy of this new administration, building on the
work of previous governments.
I am well aware that our employees at the Ministry of Unification
have worked tirelessly with professionalism and passion and led the
way for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula. Former Minister
Lee In-young also accomplished many achievements, and I sincerely
thank him for his hard work. Allow me to kindly ask all of you to work
together to reach a bigger and higher goal.
Fellow members of MOU family,
Just last week, North Korea launched a ballistic missile. As
COVID-19 spreads across North Korea, its residents’ lives are at great
risk. The most urgent matters right now are stabilizing the heightened
inter-Korean tension and providing practical help to the people of
North Korea.
Many difficult tasks lie ahead, including creating a strategic
opportunity for inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, reassessing
inter-Korean relations through denuclearization of North Korea,
building progressive inter-Korean relations, and maintaining peace and
order on the Korean Peninsula amid the complex dynamics of the
international community. Not a single one of these challenges is easy.
Now it is time for us to build up on the unification policy in the
short and long terms.
Many mandates have been entrusted to us to usher in a new world by
addressing our duties in a practical and flexible manner while
pursuing common interests.
Denuclearization of North Korea,
mutual negotiations based on the principle of reciprocity, universal
human rights and values, and problem solving through dialogue are only
a few.
As I was appointed Minister of Unification, I looked back on our
Ministry’s achievements.
I witnessed the Ministry fulfilling its responsibilities, even with
heightened, seemingly never-ending tensions with North Korea, as we
observed major situations and adjusted our strengths and weaknesses,
thereby discerning when to intervene and when to exercise restraint.
The journey we walk together in the future must not deviate from
this direction.
Though we may not accomplish everything in a single step, it is
better to lay the groundwork for at least one of many tasks ahead of us.
I ask that you make every effort to move forward steadily with solid
minds, one step at a time.
Fellow members of MOU family,
As the first members of the Unification Ministry under the new Yoon
Suk-yeol administration, we are endowed with responsibilities to
create a blueprint and strategy for unification and North Korea
policy, build a solid foundation and driving force, and make immediate
progress in inter-Korean relations.
Nearly eighty years have passed since the division of the two
Koreas, and half a century has passed since the commencement of
inter-Korean dialogue. Over the course of time, previous governments
have pursued policies on unification and North Korea according to
their own principles.
Although people may have different views and evaluations of the past
policies, we have learned one clear and important lesson from the process.
To accomplish the goals of the North Korea and unification policy,
reaching a bipartisan agreement based on the national consensus is vital.
When a bipartisan North Korean stance is formulated and implemented,
we are one step closer to a unified Korea.
Not all government strategies are the same, and not all would be
ideal. We need to inherit the parts that are desirable and complement
the parts that need to be supplemented and developed.
When this framework is established, the power of democracy, which
can shine through diversity, can be maximized.
The approach to North Korea will be much more constructive when the
room for cooperation has widened and differences in opinion are minimized.
The first step toward a unified Korean Peninsula starts from
unification within us.
I was dispatched to Germany immediately after it was unified and
was able to witness the process during and after unification.
At the time, the left- and right-wing governments were replaced in
Germany, but the right-wing government in West Germany did not
unconditionally overthrow the Eastern Policy of the other side.
A dialectical unity that led Germany to its unification is a lesson
that all of us who live in a divided country must remember at all times.
The new administration must respond to this historical reminder.
We must create a bipartisan unification policy while reaching out to
and gathering consensus from the people.
In this process, communicating with the National Assembly and
securing consensus are essential. I will do my best to broaden this
channel with the opposing parties.
Fellow members of MOU family,
Another very important mission for the Ministry of Unification is
resolving the pain and difficulties of separated families, POWs,
abductees, and North Korean defectors suffering from division.
Our duties are to empathize with them and render a more effective
policy. We will spare no efforts in helping people resume their normal
lives and build a national community for all.
Moreover, we cannot neglect the interest of North Korean residents.
All-embracing cooperation must be fortified to ensure the North Korean
residents can overcome humanitarian hardships and move forward for
freedom and human rights, which are universal values of humankind.
When these efforts begin to bear fruit one by one, the pain of
division will heal as quickly as possible, allowing us to progress
toward a truly unified future.
Fellow members of MOU family,
COVID-19 is currently spreading rapidly in North Korea. In the
absence of vaccines or medical supplies, many are concerned for the
well-being of the North Korean residents.
It is time for us to step forward and expedite humanitarian aid, and
the ROK Government will actively cooperate with North Korea for
COVID-19 quarantine efforts.
We will provide unconditional humanitarian cooperation, such as
medical care and quarantine efforts, without taking a political stance.
I sincerely hope that North Korea also responds positively and
cooperates to prevent harm to its people.
Fellow members of MOU family,
You may have heard that the Ministry of Unification’s functions
needed to be reorganized during the last presidential election.
Some of you may be concerned, but as minister, I will make things
clear. We will make additions, but we won’t make any subtractions.
The Ministry of Unification will fully preserve and develop the
functions of inter-Korean relations management, inter-Korean exchange
and cooperation, and years of accumulated bandwidth. We will only
adjust excessive or overlapping parts practically to focus on
improving work efficiency.
We will also restore and add to the basic mission of pursuing
unification policy based on peace with the basic free and democratic
order the Constitution gives us.
Article 4 of our Constitution states,
“The Republic of Korea
shall seek unification and shall formulate and carry out a policy of
peaceful unification based on the basic free and democratic order.”
We must deeply engrave the meaning of this paragraph into our minds
and use it to develop our roles, functions, and tasks.
I hope that you will democratically, effectively, and systematically
perform the duties and responsibilities given to you by the people and
the Constitution.
I will drive the Ministry of Unification to move forward on two
balanced wheels: the management and development of inter-Korean
relations and the promotion of unification.
Fellow members of MOU family,
I understand the Ministry of Unification and the members of MOU
family put in extensive effort in the past difficult circumstances.
Many of you may have been upset when those efforts did not bear
fruit and were misunderstood and criticized by the people.
Nevertheless, our unchanging obligations include the development of
inter-Korean relations based on the denuclearization of North Korea,
peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the construction of a unified Korea
based on liberal democracy.
The road not taken will be grassy and unfamiliar, but we will take
one step at a time in the right direction.
As the minister, I promise you that I will do my best to be of the
most help to you.
I hope that you all present yourselves as dignified and competitive
members of the Ministry of Unification.
If we work together, we can do it.
Thank you.
