Unification Minister Chung Dong-young: "North and South should acknowledge their own faults and express regret"

[Financial News] Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said on the 11th, "The two Koreas should acknowledge what each side has done wrong and also express regret for those actions."
Chung made these remarks at Gwanmunsa Temple in Seocho District in southern Seoul, where he paid a courtesy call on Venerable Deok-su, head of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism. He was explaining the background to his statement the previous day in which he expressed "deep regret" toward North Korea over the suspension of operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Chung noted that, at the strong insistence of the South, the two Koreas had agreed to ensure the stable operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex "regardless of any changes in the situation." Yet the South unilaterally shut down the complex ten years ago, which he described as "a wrongful act."
The day before, at a congratulatory address during the "Mass for National Reconciliation and Unity" held at Myeongdong Cathedral, Chung had expressed "deep regret" to North Korea over both the shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex ten years ago and an incident in which a civilian flew an unmanned aerial vehicle toward the North.
After Chung's visit to the Cheontae Order, the Ministry of Unification issued a written briefing stating, "Some claim that the government's efforts for peace amount to a submissive stance toward North Korea." It went on to explain, "The government is seeking to create a phase of trust between the two Koreas and move toward peaceful coexistence."
rainman@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Kyung-soo Reporter