Dec. 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's National Security Office, Unification Ministry and Foreign Ministry sought to project unity Monday after the Unification Ministry decided not to join a set of U.S.-South Korea follow-up consultations, a move that renewed debate over who leads policy toward North Korea under President Lee Jae-myung.
A Unification Ministry official told reporters at the Seoul Government Complex that the ministry shares the goal of peace on the Korean Peninsula but may differ with the Foreign Ministry on approach. The official said the government would ultimately coordinate and present a unified position.
National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lak echoed that message before departing for the United States, saying ministries raise their views inside the National Security Council but the administration aims to respond externally "with a single voice."
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a regular briefing that the Unification and Foreign ministries are working closely as "one team" on foreign and security matters, adding that claims of discord do not match reality. Park said the results of the follow-up consultations with the United States would be shared with the Unification Ministry later that day.
