South Korea is once again extending a hand to North Korea. Messages advocating the resumption of dialogue, the lowering of military tensions, and a path toward peaceful coexistence are being repeated.

The current administration has formalized a policy centered on respecting the North’s regime, pursuing no unification by absorption, and committing to no hostile acts. Recently, Seoul even sought diplomatic space through third countries, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto revealing a request from President Lee Jae-myung to help mediate. Yet, North Korea is surprisingly refusing to take the hand. Instead, Pyongyang is explicitly widening the distance.