New unification guidebooks prioritize peace, reflecting Lee's initiative
Published: 30 Mar. 2026, 13:05
![President Lee Jae Myung speaks at an event in Jeju on March 29. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/30/69bd4645-41af-44a2-afb5-640fa3aaf4a0.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at an event in Jeju on March 29. [NEWS1]
Newly published unification guidebooks underscore the importance of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the books showed on Monday, drawing a contrast to those issued under the former conservative administration.
The National Institute for Unification Education released the 2026 editions of two guidebooks used as core references for unification education — the first update since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June of last year.
This year's editions place greater emphasis on peace as a guiding value in pursuing unification, reflecting Lee's push to mend strained ties with North Korea and seek inter-Korean dialogue to ease tensions on the peninsula.
It marked a shift from last year's editions, as the former conservative administration of Yoon Suk Yeol stressed unification based on a liberal democratic basic order and focused on North Korea's denuclearization.
The 2026 guides also outline the government's unification vision for a democratic nation that respects universal values such as freedom, equality and human rights. In contrast, last year's guides highlight a vision for a liberal democratic country.
The section on North Korea's human rights situation is briefly covered across four pages, while last year's section details information on the North's poor human rights circumstances across 19 pages.
Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter, known as Kim Ju-ae, the 2026 guidebooks state that she is becoming more active and list her attendance in key events. Last year's books mention views that there is a high possibility of her succeeding her father.
Since 2000, the institute has annually published such guidebooks to help people better understand the government's unification vision and North Korea's situation.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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