Confusion over engagement policy follows nuclear test
South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok who yesterday offered his resignation, has laid down his political life for his president and Seoul's determined pursuit of engagement with North Korea.
Opposition to Seoul's policy of reconciliation has been growing under the administration of President Roh Moo-hyun but that opposition intensified following Pyongyang's underground nuclear test just over two weeks ago.
Mr Lee has been a strong supporter of engagement with North Korea, and his critics accuse him of being pro-Pyongyang.
'Lee Jong-seok is one of the symbols of the engagement policy and following the nuclear test, there had to be some adjustments. So the first thing they can do is change the person responsible for the policy, to signal a change in mood,' said Lee Chung-hee of Hankuk University.
The unification minister has been the most high-profile personification of the government's conciliation with the North and in lieu of attacking the president, political foes had focused on Mr Lee.
One fiery opposition MP, Kim Yong-kap, called the unification minister 'a spy'.
