South Korea: Striving for a 'meaningful' change in inter-Korean relations

South Korea hopes to soon restore dialogue between North Korea and the US. Illustration photo: Yonhap

According to Yonhap, Mr. Lee made the above statement in a speech at a conference discussing cross-border cooperation in the field of renewable energy. The conference was held just one day after Pyongyang criticized South Korea and the United States in a series of harsh statements.

The harsh words that Pyongyang issued, which Seoul considered somewhat harsh, seemed to be aimed at putting more pressure on South Korea and the US, in the context that Washington is about to announce its new policy on the North Korea issue as well as the summit meetings between the two allies, the US and South Korea, which are also expected to be held in late May.

Speaking at the conference, the South Korean Unification Minister affirmed: "In any case, we should not increase tensions on the Korean peninsula. I will seek to make a meaningful change in relations between South Korea and North Korea."

Referring to the upcoming South Korea-US summit in Washington, Mr. Lee said that the Seoul government will strive to resume dialogue between North Korea and the United States at the earliest possible time through close coordination between the allies. Mr. Lee also reiterated the importance of cooperation as well as cross-border exchanges and transactions, including in areas such as renewable energy, which the politician asserted would offer “unlimited potential and possibilities for development.”