The Korean Odyssey

* Citizens Discussing Peace and Unification on the Korean Peninsula Il Young Jeong Senior Research Fellow_Institute of Social Science_Sogang University With the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration in South Korea, the Ministry of Unification has been rebuilt. One of the most notable aspects of the recent organizational restructuring of the Ministry is the large-scale introduction of social dialogue mechanisms and public – private cooperation bodies. This article seeks to propose key considerations that should be addressed in Social Dialogue 2.0 on the Korean Peninsula being pursued by the South Korean government and civil society.   The Rise of Social Dialogue During the 22nd presidential election, President Lee Jae-myung pledged to promote the “activation of social dialogue” on North Korea and unification policy. Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young has also emphasized a “people-sovereign North Korea policy,” stating that citizens — the sovereign power holders ...

  * In August 1945, despite the joy of liberation, the Korean Peninsula was divided by the great powers into North and South along the 38th parallel. ,  @IL Young Jeong Il Young Jeong Senior Research Fellow_Institute of Social Science_Sogang University On August 15, President Lee Jae-myung, in his address marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation, stated that “the South and the North are in a special relationship in which both sides should respect and recognize each other’s systems, while pursuing peaceful unification.” He further emphasized that “the South respects the current system in the North, will not seek any form of unification by absorption, and has no intention of engaging in hostile acts.” In relation to this, on August 13, the National Policy Planning Committee, which finalized the state agenda of the Lee administration, proposed the task of “redefining inter-Korean relations on the basis of reconciliation and cooperation and institutionalizing peaceful co...