President questions renaming North Korea 'Joseon', citing potential controversy

South Korean Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young proposed on August 5 that the government consider referring to North Korea by its Korean name, 'Joseon' (Choson), as a first step toward building trust and achieving peaceful coexistence.

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The respect of calling the other party by its name will be the first step in building trust and moving toward peaceful coexistence.

During a presidential working-level briefing at the Blue House, Jeong stated that respecting the other side by using its proper name could build trust and lead to peaceful coexistence. He added that the ministry would listen to public opinion and build consensus on the matter.

However, President Lee Jae-myung expressed reservations about the proposal. He questioned whether unilaterally adopting the name 'Joseon' would truly benefit the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. "There are times when I doubt whether doing so out of our goodwill will be a 'plus' for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," Lee remarked.

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There are times when I doubt whether doing so out of our goodwill will be a 'plus' for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

The President suggested that while the intention behind the proposal might be based on positive values and ideals, it could inadvertently lead to political controversy and potentially worsen the situation if not handled carefully. He emphasized the need for thorough deliberation, interpreting his remarks as a call for a cautious approach to avoid turning the initiative into a source of political infighting.

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If it gets caught up in political disputes, it could lead to a bad situation. We need to think very carefully.