Lee decides not to scrap unification ministry

The Republic of Korea's (ROK) next government agreed yesterday to maintain the ministry that handles engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), heeding opposition complaints that closing it would be like abandoning dreams of a reunified Korea.

Eliminating the Unification Ministry and transferring its duties to the Foreign Ministry was a central part of a government streamlining plan proposed by President-elect Lee Myung-bak. The plan was seen as an indication of the conservative leader's negative view of the agency, which has been accused of being too soft on the North.

But Lee withdrew the plan, which was not popular among the public, under pressure from liberal lawmakers who represent the largest voting bloc in parliament and who will form the opposition to his ruling Grand National Party once he takes office on Monday.