South Korea’s latest unification effort is just more provocation

In other words, there is no place for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime in Yoon’s vision of a united Korea, which he referred to as the ROK, South Korea’s official name – explicitly pointing to the absorption of the north.

Realistically, there is no scenario in which the North Korean government would accept such a plan, as it would mean the de facto dissolution of the Kim regime and the entire North Korean political system.

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To North Korea, this is not a viable unification plan but a blatant threat to its regime’s survival.

The Unification Ministry in Seoul was quick to refute allegations comparing the president’s new policy to that of unification by absorption. “We seek a gradual and peaceful unification, not unification by absorption,” Unification Minster Kim Yung-ho said last week. The minister also said he believes the North “ will carefully review” the new proposal and called for Pyongyang to reestablish dialogue channels with the South.

But Pyongyang is unlikely to respond in the way Seoul hopes. If North Korea were against unification before, Yoon’s speech would only solidify this position.

Moreover, Pyongyang has made clear it is not interested in any kind of cooperation or exchange with the Yoon government, repeatedly expressing its animosity towards his administration in state-run media by, for example, reporting on calls within South Korea for Yoon’s impeachment.

With inter-Korea relations at a low point, it is unlikely the Koreas will make any progress towards unification any time soon, especially under the Yoon government. Still, the situation on the Korean peninsula could get better or worse depending on