Seoul: The South Korean government under President Lee Jae Myung has shifted its focus to 'peaceful coexistence' with North Korea rather than "pressure and confrontation," a white paper released by the Unification Ministry showed Monday, local media reported. The annual paper marks a significant change in tone from the previous administration, reflecting the current government's aim to mend the strained inter-Korean relationship by fostering mutual trust.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Lee administration, which came into power in June last year, is steering away from the strategies of the former conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The previous administration attempted to instigate change in North Korea through increased pressure and dissemination of external information. The new white paper outlines three key guiding principles: respecting North Korea's system, refraining from pursuing unification by absorption, and avoiding hostile activities.

The paper also highlights the Lee government's initiatives to halt the distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border and cease loudspeaker broadcasts, as efforts to reduce military tensions and rebuild trust. Moreover, it includes plans to reinstate the inter-Korean military agreement signed on September 19, 2018, by then-President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and to pursue a bilateral accord aimed at establishing a systematic foundation for peaceful coexistence.

Despite these efforts, inter-Korean relations remain virtually stagnant, with no significant personal or economic exchanges occurring between the two nations in the past five years. Recently, North Korea revised its constitution to eliminate references to unification, further severing ties with South Korea.