▲ This photo, published by the Korean Central News Agency on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which was held from Feb. 19-25. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

S Korea-NK party congress

S. Korea regrets N.K.'s hostile policy declaration toward Seoul, vows to pursue reconciliation

SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry said Thursday it regrets North Korea's declaration to maintain a hostile policy toward South Korea but added that Seoul will continue its reconciliatory approach toward the regime.

The ministry issued the response to the results of the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, during which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country will "have no business dealing with South Korea," in rejection of dialogue overtures by President Lee Jae Myung's administration.

"The ministry finds it very regrettable that North Korea unveiled a stance to continue the two hostile states (policy) without responding to our government's efforts for peaceful coexistence," the unification ministry said.

The government will not be deterred by North Korea's attitude but will continue to pursue its policy of seeking peaceful coexistence with the North, the ministry said, reaffirming Seoul's stance not to seek unification by force or hostile actions against the regime.

At the party congress, the North's leader said the current state of having nullified all conditions connected with South Korea will be "perpetuated," reaffirming a policy stance he first unveiled in 2023 that regards the two Koreas as "hostile states."

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]