▲ In this file photo, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to reporters at a press briefing in Seoul on Feb. 18, 2026. (Yonhap)

unification ministry-white paper

Unification ministry defends white paper against criticism over 'two-state' language

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry on Tuesday pushed back against criticism that its newly published white paper violates the Constitution, clarifying the controversial "two-state" language does not reflect official government policy.

"It does not at all mean recognizing North Korea as a legal state," a ministry official told reporters. "It is meant to pursue policy based on acknowledging North Korea's political entity and statehood."

The paper, released Monday, outlines the Lee Jae Myung government's North Korea policy around three key principles: Seoul respects North Korea's system, does not pursue unification by absorption and will not engage in hostile activities.

It says Seoul seeks peaceful coexistence with North Korea, while still aiming for eventual unification, "given the reality that South and North Korea effectively exist as two states."

The paper also called for transforming Pyongyang's "hostile two-state policy" into a "peaceful two-state" relationship seeking unification, a wording that drew criticism from some who argued it risks legitimizing North Korea as a separate sovereign state in violation of the Constitution.

Article 3 of the Constitution stipulates that the territory of the Republic of Korea consists of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands.

The official said the two-state concept had been shared by the minister on previous occasions and remains a broad idea under review rather than a formal position.

On criticism that such a sensitive issue lacked sufficient public debate before being included in the paper, the official said the ministry would continue to seek a wide range of opinions going forward.

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