Unification minister urges reopening of inter-Korean exchanges, cooperation

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Wednesday urged the reopening of stalled inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, pledging the government's full efforts to reengage North Korea.

Chung made the remarks during a meeting with Na Sang-ho, executive leader of Won Buddhism, a modern homegrown Buddhist path, as North Korea remains unresponsive to Seoul's overtures for talks.

"(The government) is going to make extraordinary efforts to turn 2026 into a starting point for peaceful coexistence (with North Korea)," Chung told Na, noting that Wednesday marks the seventh year since the two Koreas last held talks, during a sports-related meeting on Dec. 18, 2018.

"The history of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation should be wide open again," he said.

Na expressed hope that inter-Korean ties would see a breakthrough during Chung's term, pledging efforts to open engagement with North Korean religious entities to help drive inter-Korean relations.

pbr@yna.co.kr
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