President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday that that he sees unification between the two Koreas is closer, and the event could happen unexpectedly.
“I’d like to say that unification is drawing nearer,” he said, adding that the historical moment may take place soon.
President Lee made the remarks in his meeting with the members of the National Unification Advisory Council at Cheong Wa Dae.
However, he refrained from giving a specific timeframe.
“Unification may come early or late but we cannot step backwards on such a concrete goal,” he said.
“What is sure is that it will definitely come.”
He underlined that the thoughts of 50 million South Koreans should first stand as one.
“It’s important that we share the same perceptions about solid peace, security and unification,” he said.
“The reason that North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun mentions that the Cheonan incident was a fabrication by the United States and South Korea is because there are some of us who believe it.”
In recent months, Lee has made similar remarks. During a trip to Germany in May, Lee said unification would come at any time and that the South should seek unification at any cost because it will provide the Korean people with a springboard to prosperity.
The President said that the positive effects of unification would outweigh any cost.
Despite his repeated vows on unification, inter-Korean relations remain at one of the lowest points, following North Korea's two deadly attacks on the South last year.