South Korea adopts peace‑first approach to North Korea, keeps denuclearisation goal

South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young announced a shift from a "denuclearisation‑first" policy to a "peace‑first" approach toward North Korea. The new strategy will seek an initial freeze of Pyongyang's nuclear activities, while still retaining the long‑term objective of a nuclear‑free Korean Peninsula.

Chung said the previous stance had blocked inter‑Korean talks for seven years, and that prioritising peace would create conditions for dialogue. He noted that North Korea continues to operate uranium‑enrichment centrifuges and a plutonium‑producing reactor at Yongbyon, expanding its warhead capacity, and remains hostile to Seoul's overtures despite recent gestures such as suspending anti‑Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts.

The policy shift aligns with perceived moves by the United States and China away from a strict denuclearisation focus. Chung highlighted upcoming diplomatic opportunities, including expected meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as moments to intensify efforts toward renewed talks.