Translation result
[Anchor] South Korea’s Ministry of Unification has provoked controversy by launching a public debate on whether to refer to North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The move follows fallout from Minister Jeong Dong-young’s earlier remark about “constituent nuclear facilities.” Reporter Park Su-ju reports. [Reporter] The ministry says it opened the naming debate after accepting recommendations from scholars and civic groups. Officials argue that considering use of the country’s formal name could be one way to build a foundation of mutual recognition and respect between the two systems. Before announcing the public debate, Minister Jeong repeatedly used North Korea’s formal name in public remarks. 「Jeong Dong-young / Minister of Unification (March 25)」 Whether in North-South relations or in relations between Korea and ‘Joseon,’ we should establish a new relationship that benefits both sides and contributes to national development… Once the plan became public—at a time when North Korea asserts itself as a separate state—academics immediately began debating whether it violates the constitution. The constitution defines the Republic of Korea’s territory as the entire Korean Peninsula and states that the country seeks peaceful reunification. 「Kwon Eun-min / Attorney (Kim & Chang)」 In a sense, the territorial clause refers to the territory of a future unified Korea… Whether we would formally recognize it as a state or treat it as a de facto state isn’t directly tied to this naming debate. 「Cha Jin-ah / Professor, Korea University Law School」 Using the formal state name can symbolize domestic recognition of statehood, so this cannot be dismissed as merely a question of terminology… To ignore the constitution’s normative force is effectively to treat it like propaganda… Experts also disagree over whether using the formal name would actually help restore trust between the two Koreas or produce any practical effect. The ministry says it will review the issue carefully through public consultation, but opposition lawmakers who filed a dismissal motion over Minister Jeong’s “constituent nuclear facilities” remark say the naming debate gives them another reason to seek his removal and are protesting. With controversy flaring again before the fallout from the earlier remark has subsided, partisan clashes and doubts about the minister’s fitness for office are likely to continue. This is Park Su-ju for Yonhap News TV. [Video editing: Park Sang-gyu] [Graphics: Choi Hyun-gyu] #NorthKorea #MinistryOfUnification #JeongDong-young #CountryName Yonhap News TV tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Park Su-ju (sooju@yna.co.kr)
Most Commented