FM Cho: NK Rejects Dialogue, Peace with SK

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday the government will spend the autumn seeking ways to engage in dialogue with North Korea, despite the North's current refusal to communicate. President Lee Jae Myung had previously described efforts for peace as akin to shouting into the void.

Cho expressed doubt about the possibility of direct inter-Korean meetings at the UN General Assembly in New York this September, stating that North Korea's behavior suggests they would likely avoid such opportunities. However, she affirmed the government's commitment to breaking the current stalemate and would not miss chances like the UN General Assembly or APEC meetings in the fall.

Since President Lee Jae Myung assumed office in June 2025, no official communication channels have been opened between the two Koreas. A written report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to President Lee identified North Korea's rejection of dialogue and information exchange as the primary obstacle to Seoul's Korean Peninsula policy.

The report detailed Seoul's efforts, including working with third countries and international organizations like the UN, Singapore, Vietnam, and Sweden in the first half of the year to reach Pyongyang. The ministry also pressed Beijing on Korean Peninsula stability during a January 2026 summit. For the latter half of the year, Seoul plans to continue engaging in multilateral meetings attended by North Korea, such as UN forums and informal dialogues involving government officials and academics, while seeking a constructive role from China and Russia.