Unification Minister Chung Dong-young delivers a New Year&#39;s address at the 2026 Unification Ministry New Year&#39;s ceremony held at the annex of the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 2. 2026.1.2 / News1

On January 2, Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young referred to North Korea as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, reiterating his commitment to respect its system and expressing a willingness to resume dialogue and cooperation between North and South Korea.

During a ceremony at the Seoul Government Complex, he stated that he wants to emphasize again that Lee Jae Myung administration respects the system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and rejects the German-style unification model proposed by the North.

He added that regarding the resolution of hostilities between North and South, they are prepared to discuss any agenda at any time and place. It hopes North Korea understands and respects the sincere efforts for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. It anticipates a positive response through any available channel.

Furthermore, Minister Chung announced that the government is fully prepared to promote large-scale cooperative projects through dialogue between North and South Korea.

He remarked that the North's dedicated efforts in the Local Development 20X10 Policy and Health Revolution are yielding impressive results. He suggested that if local governments from both sides can communicate and collaborate, it could lead to a win-win situation and new opportunities for joint growth between North and South Korea.

Specifically, he pointed out that they could pursue a cross-border project linking the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone and the Paektu Mountain Samjiyeon Tourist Zone through cooperation with neighboring countries.

He mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump is working towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that if North and South Korea demonstrate their commitment to peaceful coexistence and collaborate with neighboring countries, it can achieve a historic outcome that ends the war on the Korean Peninsula, which has persisted for over half a century.

Minister Chung emphasized that continuing hostility and confrontation between North and South Korea is a path to mutual defeat and destruction, adding that to end the hostile relationship, it must be the first to change.

Additionally, he announced that starting today, the term used to refer to North Korean defectors will change from defectors to Northward migrants. He stated that the best approach is to use no label at all, but if a term is necessary for aspects like protection, support, and safety for resettlement, then Northward migrant, which conveys the meaning of a person who left their hometown in the North, is a more neutral term that avoids discrimination and exclusion.

Moreover, he indicated that preparations for designating a peace economic zone and reopening sections of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) will help lay the foundation for a peaceful economy in border regions.

On January 2, Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young referred to North Korea as the Demo …

Chung Dong Young, Calls North Korea is Democratic People's Republic Country..."Respect the Regime"