The Ministry of Unification (Korean: 통일부; Hanja: 統一部) is an executive department of the South Korean government aimed at promoting Korean reunification. It was first established in 1969[1] as the National Unification Board, under the rule of Park Chung Hee. It gained its current status in 1998 and has played a major role in promoting inter-Korean dialogues, exchanges and cooperation.
통일부 統一部 Tongilbu | |
MOU headquarters in Seoul | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | March 1, 1969 |
Preceding |
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Jurisdiction | Government of South Korea |
Headquarters | Jongno-gu, Seoul 37°34′29.586″N 126°58′32.632″E / 37.57488500°N 126.97573111°E |
Minister responsible |
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Deputy Minister responsible |
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Website |
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Map | |
Ministry of Unification (Seoul) |
Under previous minister Yu Woo-ik, the ministry consisted of one office for planning and coordination; three bureaus for unification policy, inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and humanitarian cooperation; one special bureau for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex project; and five affiliated agencies on unification education, inter-Korean dialogue, transit between the South and the North, settlement support for dislocated North Koreans and inter-Korean consultations on exchanges and cooperation. However, in 2008, the ministry was significantly downsized as part of an efficiency restructuring of government.[2]
Its headquarters are on the third and fourth floors of the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno District, Seoul.[3]
The ministry's aims as of 2008[4] were:
According to the Ministry website, its major duties are as follows:
The Hong Yong-pyo administration is guided by four principles: a balanced approach; North Korea policy that evolves over time; and cooperation with the international community.
South Korea began planning its own reunification program with the establishment on March 1, the Sam-il Anniversary, of a Ministry of National Unification
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