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Ministry of Unification Work Plan for the Remainder of 2026
Press Release “Three Feet of Ice Doesn’t Melt Overnight” Efforts for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula Continue - Ministry of Unification Work Plan for the Remainder of 2026 - August 5, 2026 The Ministry of Unification (Minister Chung Dongyoung) reported its work plan for the remainder of 2026 to the President and the public on August 5, 2026. The report was made jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The international environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula is undergoing a period of change, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Domestically, public expectations are growing for measures that promote peaceful coexistence and have a direct impact on people’s everyday lives. Based on this assessment, the Ministry presented its policy development plan for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula for the second year of the Lee Jae Myung administration, and reported that it would pursue the “Peacemaker-Pacemaker Plus” initiative to respond proactively to changes in the regional situation. ▮Task 1. Establishing a Policy Development Plan for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula Policy Direction The Policy Development Plan for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is guided by three principles: (1) pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation while respecting differences; (2) peacefully resolving conflicts and managing crises; and (3) promoting a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and peace in Northeast Asia. Peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is the only viable path forward. It will improve people’s lives, serve the interests of the South and the North, and contribute to peace and stability throughout the region and the international community. Implementation Plan First, to promote mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation, the Ministry will begin by addressing one another by name, replace confrontational or hate-inducing terms such as “principal enemy,” and pursue discussions on a new unification approach that excludes unification through absorption. Second, to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflicts and effective crisis management, the Ministry will pursue proactive measures to ease tensions by beginning the process of restoring the September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement and promoting the peaceful use of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). It will also establish “peace safeguards,” starting in border areas. Third, to promote a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and peace in Northeast Asia, the Ministry will initiate discussions on replacing the armistice regime with a peace regime, develop a peace-led strategy to initially stop North Korea’s nuclear program, and make every effort to facilitate a U.S.-North Korea summit while building momentum for four-party talks. Establishing Peaceful Two-State Relations Oriented Toward Unification Through the implementation of the Policy Development Plan for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry will focus on making people’s lives safer and more prosperous today, while ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to determine the future of unification. As part of this process, the Ministry will work to overcome North Korea’s concept of “hostile two-state relationship” and establish peaceful two-state relations oriented toward unification. These efforts are consistent with both the history and current realities of inter-Korean relations. It is expected to ease North Korea’s distrust, establish peace as the highest priority, and strengthen a forward-looking vision for unification. Implementing the “Peacemaker-Pacemaker Plus” Initiative While presidential engagement under the existing pacemaker framework is already underway, the Ministry plans to expand these efforts into the government-wide “Pacemaker Plus” initiative. The Ministry will further develop its vision for the Policy for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, multilateral peace cooperation, and an initial halt strategy for North Korea’s nuclear program, while building concrete support for these initiatives. The Ministry will concentrate its efforts on the APEC Summit in Shenzhen this November to mark a major turning point for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. It will present a detailed policy vision on the occasion of the President’s Liberation Day address on August 15, and actively utilize the special envoy for peace on the Korean Peninsula to launch the Peacemaker-Pacemaker Plus initiative. The Ministry will also propose launching discussions on a peace regime for the Korean Peninsula at the United Nations General Assembly in September, and work to broaden dialogue on a peace regime that contributes to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific community on the occasion of the APEC Summit in Shenzhen this November. ▮Task 2. Restoring the Framework for Peace-Oriented Exchange on the Korean Peninsula Developing a Ready-to-Go Peace Initiative Building on the work plan it presented last December, the Ministry will further develop detailed plans for the four peace-oriented exchange projects* and foster public discussion. The Ministry will also work with leading research institutions to develop cooperation plans for shared growth that would position the ROK to play a strategic role should U.S.-North Korea dialogue advance. * The four projects are: (1) a package of inter-Korean public health and medical cooperation initiatives; (2) peace tourism to the North’s Wonsan-Galma area; (3) a Seoul-Beijing high-speed rail link; and (4) cooperation in connection with the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI). Actively Supporting Resumption of Civilian Exchanges The Ministry will actively support the resumption of civilian inter-Korean exchanges by removing restrictions on civilian contacts with North Korea, assisting with UN sanctions exemption procedures, and expanding support through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund. It will also support exchanges in connection with international sporting, cultural, academic, and religious events, including the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (September 19-October 4). In addition, the Ministry will also build on the achievements of existing historical and cultural cooperation projects, including efforts to compile print and digital editions of the Gyeoremal Keunsajeon (Grand Dictionary of the Korean People’s Language) and establish a permanent exhibition hall dedicated to Manwoldae. Improving Regulatory Framework for the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund The Ministry plans to enhance the effective use of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund by improving the relevant regulatory framework, noting that the fund’s annual disbursement rate has averaged only 2-3 percent since the closure of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in 2016. It will pursue amendments to the relevant Enforcement Decree to clarify the purposes for which the fund may be used, thereby supporting efforts to create even a small opening in inter-Korean relations. * Eligible uses would include projects carried out in the DMZ and border areas; support for Peace Economy Special Zones; revitalization of civilian-led unification initiatives that have declined amid the prolonged halt in inter-Korean engagement; and restoration of the research base for North Korean studies, which has been eroded by hostility and confrontation. ▮Task 3. Repositioning Border Areas from the Front Line to the Center Resuming Restoration Work on ROK Section of Gyeongwon Line (Baengmagoji-Woljeong-ri) The Ministry plans to resume work on the Gyeongwon Line Restoration Project, which has been suspended for the past decade. The project was launched in August 2015 and suspended in May 2016. Of the total project cost of KRW 179 billion, KRW 37 billion has already been spent. Land acquisition and design work have been completed, and trackbed construction is 3 percent complete. By improving access to peace and ecotourism in the DMZ, the project will help revitalize local economies in border areas, including Cheorwon and Yeoncheon. Promoting Peaceful Use of the DMZ The Ministry will continue its efforts to transform the DMZ into a hub for peace, ecology, and tourism by advancing initiatives that the public can experience firsthand and strengthening the relevant legal and institutional framework. Planned initiatives include developing attractions along the DMZ Peace Trail as freely accessible spaces where the public can experience peace firsthand; working to increase the frequency of the DMZ Peace Link Train from twice to up to eight times per month; and launching the DMZ Portal to provide comprehensive information on the DMZ. The Ministry will also continue to cooperate in efforts to enact the Act on the Peaceful Use of and Support for the DMZ, which is currently being pursued through legislation introduced by lawmakers. Operating the Joint Council on Peace and Safety in Border Areas The Ministry will continue to support border areas that have long been marginalized by national division and military tensions, including through the operation of the Joint Council on Peace and Safety in Border Areas. Taking into account requests from local governments in border areas – including support for infrastructure development in Peace Economy Special Zones, expanded basic income support for residents of rural and fishing communities, and a central role for border areas in the transition to a peace regime – the Ministry will work with relevant ministries and agencies to advance these proposals. * Participants include the Ministries of Unification, National Defense, and the Interior and Safety; the mayor of Incheon and the governors of Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces; and the mayors and county heads of the 10 border area local governments. The first meeting was held on February 26 and the second on July 27. ▮Task 4. Resolving Humanitarian Issues Alleviating the Pain of Division for Separated Families, Abductees and Others The Ministry plans to continue diversifying its efforts to comfort and support those affected by the pain of division, including separated families and abductees, through events marking the 4th Separated Families Day on September 23, regional gatherings, and visits to elderly individuals. The Ministry will also formulate a “Master Plan for Collecting Life History Records” by the end of the year and continue efforts to preserve records through video letters and DNA testing, and prepare for future exchanges. It will also foster understanding among younger generations through exhibitions of artwork and life history records relating to separated families, as well as interactive talks. Seeking Tangible Improvements in the Human Rights of North Korean residents Moving away from the previous administration’s hard-line and confrontational approach, the Ministry will continue its efforts to reorient its policy framework toward achieving tangible improvements in the human rights of North Korean residents. The Ministry will pursue a policy of inter-Korean human rights cooperation grounded in trust and cooperation. To this end, it will explore avenues for phased cooperation with the international community in areas concerning persons with disabilities, women, and children; support National Assembly deliberations on amendments to the North Korean Human Rights Act; and foster conditions conducive to sustainable human rights cooperation. ▮Task 5. Strengthening the Settlement Support System for North Korean-Born Citizens Promoting Greater Autonomy and Openness at Hanawon The Ministry will continue its efforts to improve access to information for trainees at the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees (Hanawon). In January it began providing smartphones to trainees for the first time, fulfilling one of their long-standing requests. The Ministry will also repurpose the Hanawon Hwacheon Branch as a center providing local settlement support for North Korean-born citizens, including vocational training and psychological counseling. It will further promote greater openness at Hanawon by offering Hwacheon County residents medical services in internal medicine, dentistry, and Korean medicine, provided by three public health doctors. Reducing Suicide Rate Among North Korean-Born Citizens Drawing on baseline data gathered through a general survey conducted from May to June and an in-depth survey scheduled for completion in August, the Ministry plans to proactively identify North Korean-born citizens at risk and provide attentive support. The Ministry will also strengthen its round-the-clock outreach and response system for North Korean-born citizens at risk. The system includes the 24-hour Hanawon Call Center, which has been operating since December 2025; and AI-powered check-in calls, introduced in July 2026 to provide well-being checks, medication guidance, and health monitoring. Building a Comprehensive Support Network for Stable Settlement The Ministry plans to strengthen coordination with the Korea Hana Foundation, Hana Centers (regional adaptation centers), and private-sector sponsors. It will also pursue the introduction of supplemental allowances and other measures to improve the compensation and working conditions of social workers, integrated support teachers, and counselors who assist North Korean-born citizens. The Ministry will further strengthen education and employment support for North Korean-born citizens. It will expand participation in the WEST (Work, English Study and Travel) Program from four to ten participants, and ease the requirements for business owners to be recognized as having set an example in employing North Korean-born citizens. ▮Task 6. Expanding and Strengthening Peace, Unification and Democratic Citizenship Education Shifting the Paradigm from “Security-Focused Unification Education” to “Peace, Unification and Democratic Citizenship Education” The Ministry plans to shift from security-focused education to an approach that emphasizes peaceful coexistence, dialogue and cooperation, and democratic values. Based on this shift, it will strengthen education on peaceful unification and democracy grounded in constitutional values, including by expanding field visits for participants in programs at the National Institute for Peace, Unification and Democracy Education. Strengthening Peace, Unification, and Democratic Citizenship Education for Those Aged 10 to 29 In June 2026, the Ministry initially appointed 3,940 people, including teachers at approximately 12,000 elementary, middle, and high schools across the country, as members of the 25th Peace, Unification, and Democratic Citizenship Education Committee. It plans to make additional appointments. The Ministry will also strengthen experiential learning, including by launching a new Youth Peace and Unification Leadership Camp. Building Consensus on Principles of Peace and Unification Education through Social Dialogue Drawing on Germany’s Beutelsbach Consensus on civic education – including its principles of no indoctrination, presenting controversial issues as controversial, and enabling students to analyze political situations in light of their own interests – the Ministry plans to build social consensus on the principles and direction of a Korean model of peace and unification education. Reforming Faculty Appointment System at the National Institute for Peace, Unification and Democracy Education The Ministry plans to replace the current professional fixed-term faculty system – under which faculty members hold general civil service positions with employment protection for up to 10 years – with a full-time faculty system modeled on that of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Under the new system, faculty members will hold special civil service positions with employment security until the mandatory retirement age of 65. The reform is intended to strengthen expertise and provide greater stability. ▮Task 7. Empow
2026.08.05
Press Releases
Ministry of Unification to Produce Video Messages for Separated Families in 2026
Ministry of Unification to Produce Video Messages for Separated Families in 2026 April 27, 2026 The Ministry of Unification will begin its 2026 program to record video messages from separated families to prepare for future exchanges and to document the experiences and hardships of separated families. This year, the Ministry will first conduct on-site filming for applicants who have registered through the Integrated Information System for Separated Families website. Other separated families wishing to participate will follow subsequently. The Ministry will also expand its support for producing video messages for separated families living overseas, which was implemented on a pilot basis in 2025. It plans to provide assistance from the filming stage by building networks with overseas separated families organizations and video production companies. The video message program first began in 2005, and a total of 28,112 video messages have been recorded as of 2025. Video messages are based on individual stories of separated families and consists of: introductions of oneself and one’s family, memories with family members, the pain of separation, and messages to be delivered to family members in the North. Video messages consented for public release are uploaded to the official website to raise public awareness of the separated families issue. As of March 2026, a total of 4,185 video messages have been made public. These videos will also be aired weekly on a radio program by the Korean Broadcasting System. The Ministry of Unification will make continued efforts to strengthen conditions for exchanges among separated families and to build consensus on resolving the issue. It will do so by commemorating Separated Families Day, conducting DNA testing, and organizing invitation events for separated families. * Unofficial translation
2026.04.27
Press Releases
DMZ Peace Link Train (Seoul↔Dorasan) Resumes Service
DMZ Peace Link Train (Seoul↔Dorasan) Resumes Service Relaunched after 6 years and 6 months through cooperation among five agencies April 9, 2026 Regular tourist train service between Seoul Station and Dorasan Station will resume on April, following a 6-year, 6-month suspension. Dorasan Station is the northernmost station on the South Korean side of the Gyeongui Line and the gateway to future rail links with the North. It serves as the starting point for inter-Korean connectivity and a symbol of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. Reflecting the symbolic significance of Dorasan Station, the resumed service has been named the “DMZ Peace Link Train” to convey the commitment to reconnect the South and the North in peace across the DMZ. The resumption of the DMZ Peace Link Train will allow the public to travel by rail beyond Imjingang Station into the Civilian Control Line area to Dorasan Station. Visitors will also be able to visit nearby DMZ attractions, including the Dora Observatory, offering an opportunity to experience firsthand the meaning and value of peace on the Korean Peninsula. * Reservations for the DMZ Peace Link Train can be made through KORAIL, KORAIL Tourism Development, and the DMZ Peace Tourism website. The train operates on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. To mark the launch of the DMZ Peace Link Train, the Government will hold a commemorative event titled “Dorasan Station, Linking Peace Again” on April 10 at Seoul Station and Dorasan Station. The event will consist of three parts: an inaugural train ride from Seoul Station, a ceremony marking the resumption of service at Dorasan Station, and a visit to nearby peace tourism sites including Camp Greaves. Around 260 participants representing the public and various sectors of inter-Korean relations are expected to attend the ceremony. These include members of the National Assembly, North Korean-born citizens, separated families, international students, youth, and leaders of religious and civic organizations. The resumption of the train service was made possible through the cooperation of five relevant agencies: the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of National Defense, Gyeonggi Province, Paju City, and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL). At the ceremony marking the launch of the DMZ Peace Link Train, heads of the five agencies will sign a joint agreement to promote the DMZ’s value as a symbol of lasting peace and to boost tourism. As a follow-up to the agreement, working-level preparations will begin in May to expand train operations to four times a month. The initiative will go beyond merely expanding train operations, adding key DMZ attractions such as Camp Greaves and Dorasan Peace Park to existing destinations including Dorasan Station, the Dora Observatory and Unification Village, offering diverse peace tourism experiences. The ROK Government will use the resumption of the train service and the commemorative ceremony to promote peace tourism in the DMZ area and to reaffirm, domestically and internationally, its commitment to a Korean Peninsula based on peaceful coexistence. * Unofficial translation
2026.04.09
Press Releases
1st Inter-Korean Relations Development Committee of 2026 Convenes, Reviews 5th Master Plan on Development of Inter-Korean Relations
1st Inter-Korean Relations Development Committee of 2026 Convenes, Reviews 5th Master Plan on Development of Inter-Korean Relations Committee to discuss five-year plan to advance the Lee Jae Myung administration’s “Policy for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula” March 19, 2026 The Government will hold the first 2026 meeting of the Inter-Korean Relations Development Committee on Thursday, March 19, chaired by Minister of Unification Chung Dongyoung. The Inter-Korean Relations Development Committee comprises 15 government members, including the Minister of Unification (Chairperson), and 15 civilian members. Its purpose is to deliberate on the formulation of the “Master Plan on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations” (hereinafter the “Master Plan”) as well as other important matters for the advancement of inter-Korean relations. At the meeting, the Inter-Korean Relations Development Committee will table and deliberate on the draft 5th Master Plan (2026-2030), outlining the direction of inter-Korean relations over the next five years. The draft 5th Master Plan is a comprehensive mid-to-long-term roadmap to implement the Lee Jae Myung administration’s “Policy for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.” It aims to redefine inter-Korean relations as one of peaceful coexistence while pursuing unification. The plan presents a vision of “Peaceful Coexistence and Shared Growth on the Korean Peninsula” with three goals: institutionalizing inter-Korean peaceful coexistence, establishing the foundation for shared growth on the Korean Peninsula, and achieving a Korean Peninsula free of war and nuclear weapons. It also outlines three guiding principles: respect for the North Korean system, non-pursuit of unification by absorption, and non-pursuit of hostile acts. The plan identifies six key initiatives: (1) re-establishing inter-Korean relations through reconciliation and cooperation, and institutionalizing peaceful coexistence (2) resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and advancing a peace regime (3) promoting mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation grounded in public consensus (4) alleviating the pain of division and resolving humanitarian issues (5) preparing for a peace economy and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula (6) building consensus on peace and unification through public participation and international cooperation. The Minister of Unification will finalize the draft 5th Master Plan after incorporating discussions from the Committee and completing review by the vice ministers’ conference and the cabinet meeting. The finalized plan will then be reported to the National Assembly and released to the public. * Unofficial translation
2026.03.19
