Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, South Korea's point man on inter-Korean relations, speaks to reporters upon arrival at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, 06 August 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
Aug. 7 (Asia Today) -- South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Friday that broader public discussion should come before any government move to routinely use North Korea's official state name, taking a cautious position on a proposal outlined during a recent presidential policy briefing.
Chung made the remarks during a meeting of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, an advisory body under the unification minister, at the government complex in Seoul.
"Because the policy briefing was compressed for time, the explanation that we would proceed only after public discussion was omitted," Chung said.
He said the ministry had already explained at a media briefing before the presidential report that it did not intend to lead the change unilaterally and that any move should come only after public discussion and greater public acceptance.
