Dec. 19 (UPI) -- South Korea's Unification Ministry on Friday said it aims to make 2026 the "first year of peaceful coexistence" on the Korean Peninsula, outlining plans to revive stalled diplomacy with North Korea despite a lack of response from Pyongyang and years of frozen inter-Korean ties.
The ministry presented its annual work plan to President Lee Jae Myung, setting out five core priorities for the coming year, including reviving U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korean talks, expanding humanitarian cooperation, promoting cross-border economic projects, supporting border communities and broadening public participation in peace and unification policy.
"To make 2026 the first year of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of Unification will boldly pursue preemptive and practical peace-building measures," Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said in a statement.
At the center of the plan is Seoul's intention to act as a diplomatic "pacemaker" for renewed U.S.-North Korea talks. Measures include appointing a special envoy for peace on the Korean Peninsula and urging Washington to name a dedicated representative to oversee North Korea policy.
South Korean analysts have pointed to a planned visit to China by U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential opportunity to revive momentum for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
