South Korean politician echoes Kim Jong Un's anti-unification remarks

Former chief of staff's controversial comments cause rift in opposition parties

20240926N Im Jong-seok

Im Jong-seok said that the South needs to "accept reality" and live alongside the North as two separate states. © Yonhap

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's announcement in January that he would abandon plans to unify with the South is shaking up South Korean politics, with comments by a former chief of staff in support of the idea causing rifts within opposition parties.

"Let's accept reality and live as two separate and peaceful states," Im Jong-seok, who served as chief of staff to former President Moon Jae-in, said on Sept. 19.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.