Ministry of Unification
The Ministry of Unification (Korean: 통일부; Hanja: 統一部) is an executive department of the South Korean government aimed at promoting Korean reunification. It was first established in 1969 as the National Unification Board, under the rule of Park Chung Hee. It gained its current status in 1998 and has played a major role in promoting inter-Korean dialogues, exchanges and cooperation.
| 통일부 統一部 Tongilbu | |
The main building of Central Government Complex location of the MOU | |
| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | March 1, 1969 |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of South Korea |
| Headquarters | Jongno-gu, Seoul 37°34′29.586″N 126°58′32.632″E |
| Minister responsible |
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| Deputy Minister responsible |
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| Website |
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| Map | |
Ministry of Unification (Seoul) | |
Under previous minister Yu Woo-ik, the ministry consisted of one office for planning and coordination; three bureaus for unification policy, inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and humanitarian cooperation; one special bureau for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex project; and five affiliated agencies on unification education, inter-Korean dialogue, transit between the South and the North, settlement support for dislocated North Koreans and inter-Korean consultations on exchanges and cooperation. However, in 2008, the ministry was significantly downsized as part of an efficiency restructuring of government.
Its headquarters are on the third and fourth floors of the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno District, Seoul.