South's Unification minister asks EU to mediate 'two-plus-one' dialogue with North
Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 20:30
![Unification Minister Chung Dong-young delivers opening remarks during a meeting with a visiting delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee at Government Complex Seoul in central Seoul on April 1. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/01/11fee2ae-1b72-4b38-b758-93051473382b.jpg)
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young delivers opening remarks during a meeting with a visiting delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee at Government Complex Seoul in central Seoul on April 1. [NEWS1]
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Wednesday asked the European Union (EU) to consider mediating a “two-plus-one” political dialogue involving the two Koreas and the EU to help ease inter-Korean tensions.
Chung made the request during a meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Chairman David McAllister, which is visiting South Korea.
“I would appreciate it if the EU would consider facilitating an EU-mediated two-plus-one political dialogue between South and North Korea,” Chung said.
Chung described the two Koreas as being “mired in a swamp of distrust and hostility” although both sides are wanting peace, adding that the EU's history of resolving centuries of animosity and achieving regional integration make it “an optimal mediator.”
Chung's remarks came as the Lee Jae Myung government seeks to revive dialogue with Pyongyang to ease military tensions and build peace, despite Pyongyang's continued military buildup and growing hostility.
Having ruled out dialogue with Seoul repeatedly, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un formally labeled South Korea the “most hostile state” in a speech to the North's parliament last week.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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