South Korea announces new two-state policy for peaceful coexistence with North Korea

On 2026-05-21, South Korea's Unification Ministry released a white paper saying Seoul seeks a peaceful two-state framework with North Korea. The paper said the policy aims for separate but peaceful coexistence, rejects unification by absorption, and calls for no hostile acts toward Pyongyang. The ministry said this does not amount to legal recognition of North Korea as a separate nation.