Seoul’s Foreign and Unification ministries on Thursday unveiled their 2025 policy priorities, pledging to “proactively” prepare for the potential revival of US-North Korea nuclear talks under a second Donald Trump administration, while gearing up for the possible resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.

South Korea is bracing for a potential seismic shift in the overall Korean Peninsula landscape with President-elect Trump’s return to the White House next week. Such vigilance comes despite North Korea’s silence toward overtures from Seoul and Washington since 2019 and the now significantly strained inter-Korean relations compared to under the previous Moon Jae-in administration, which had sought to mediate US-North Korea summits through inter-Korean summits in 2018.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho outlined key objectives during a New Year’s policy briefing attended by acting President Choi Sang-mok.

The Foreign Ministry has designated “policy coordination and cooperation with the new US administration” as its foremost foreign policy priority for the year, including “proactive preparation for potential US-North Korea dialogue through close collaboration” with Washington.

The ministry stated it will “establish an early and robust consultation channel with the second Trump administration to strengthen cooperation on North Korea’s nuclear issue,” including the development of a denuclearization road map.

The Korean government has been closely coordinating with the Trump administration to facilitate high-level communications, including in-person engagements such as Cho’s trip to the US “at the earliest possible time,” a senior ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

Coordination during policy review

The Unification Ministry identified its top priority as the “stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” which includes South Korea’s goal of “strengthening policy coordination between (South) Korea and the US in preparation for US-North Korea dialogue.”

The ministry stated that it will focus on “enhancing cooperation for the complete denuclearization of North Korea, based on the framework of the (South Korean government’s) ‘Audacious Initiative,’ during the new US administration’s review of its North Korea policy.”

A new US administration typically undertakes a review of its foreign policies, including its approach to North Korea, within the first several months of taking office.

“During this period, it is crucial for the South Korean government, as a key stakeholder in Korean Peninsula affairs and within the framework of the South Korea-US alliance, to articulate its position and coordinate opinions,” a senior Unification Ministry official said on condition of anonymity during the ministry’s closed-door briefing on 2025 plans.

The official said the ministry aims to “put its weight” behind ensuring Seoul’s stance is adequately reflected in the policy review, leveraging its own resources and various other means.

Seoul simulating inter-Korean dialogue

The Unification Ministry also plans to “prepare for the resumption of dialogue” with North Korea as part of its goal for stable management of the peninsula.

To that end, the ministry will “strengthen constant readiness capabilities to enhance its systematic response in case inter-Korean dialogue resumes.” The efforts include simulation exercises replicating inter-Korean dialogue scenarios — a practice that is not new, though it is rare for such training to be designated as a core task.

Another Unification Ministry official explained that the simulations encompass various types, emphasizing that “these exercises are not intended for public disclosure, but aim to ensure that negotiation teams are fully prepared to respond swiftly and accurately when talks resume.”

“Some involve replicating the inter-Korean dialogue process by forming separate delegations for the South and the North, while others focus on collaborating with relevant agencies to discuss agendas and practicing negotiations on substantive issues,” the official said.

This year’s simulation exercises will include drafting practical operational manuals for inter-Korean talks and identifying any issues within them.

Rubio signals shift to risk management

Seoul’s plans to gear up for a dialogue-friendly atmosphere are in conjunction with remarks from Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida and Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, who suggested a potential shift in North Korea policy focused on stabilization and risk reduction during his confirmation hearing at the committee level on Wednesday.

“I think there has to be an appetite for a very serious look at broader North Korean policies,” Rubio said.

Labeling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a “40-something dictator,” Rubio explained that Kim has relied on nuclear weapons as “his insurance policy to stay in power,” emphasizing that his nuclear development has remained undeterred by sanctions as a result. Rubio also highlighted Kim’s involvement in conflicts beyond the Korean Peninsula, including his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Rubio emphasized the need for a policy shift that stabilizes the overall situation and “lowers the risk of an inadvertent war, be it between South Korea and North Korea, maybe including Japan at this point, and ultimately, the United States.”

“Because what can we do to prevent a crisis without encouraging other nation-states to pursue their own nuclear weapons program? That’s the solution we’d like to get to.”

Rubio also emphasized that Trump’s outreach to Kim and their meeting during his first term were worthwhile efforts to stabilize the peninsular situation.

“Ultimately, it didn’t result in something enduring. But here’s what he was able to achieve in that engagement: He stopped testing the missiles. That didn’t stop the development of the program, but at least it calmed the situation quite a bit.”

Asia News Network/The Korea Herald