by Wonsuh Song
Tae Yong-ho, Secretary-General of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), shared his vision for unification in an exclusive interview with Financial News Japan on October 15. Drawing on his personal experience as a North Korean defector and his administrative work across North and South Korea, he emphasized the need to incorporate the voices of defectors in unification policy. Tae stated that the PUAC should play a pivotal role in building national consensus.
“The voices of North Korean defectors must be reflected in unification policy. The PUAC must serve as a key platform for fostering national consensus,” he stressed.
Tae explained, “President Yoon Suk-yeol’s decision to appoint me as Secretary-General reflects his intention to incorporate defector experiences into policy, thereby enhancing unification capabilities.” He also emphasized the importance of “establishing a national consensus that remains steadfast, even in the face of political changes.”
Addressing domestic divisions—known as “South-South conflicts”—he highlighted the need to approach differences in North Korea policy with mutual respect. “Understanding policy differences not as right or wrong, but simply as differences, is the first step toward unification,” Tae noted.
Tae praised President Yoon’s “August 15 Unification Doctrine” for its clear direction toward “free unification.” He expressed strong support for the doctrine’s focus on “prioritizing change among North Korean residents and leading the unification process through South-North cooperation.”
The PUAC, consisting of about 22,000 advisors, is actively working to improve human rights in North Korea. It also supports educational programs for North Korean defectors through 228 regional councils, aiming to cultivate them as essential contributors to unification efforts.
Tae emphasized the role of the PUAC’s international networks and Global Strategy Committee in spreading the vision for unification. “The PUAC’s overseas organizations and Global Strategy Committee will play a crucial role in promoting the unification vision. Our international advisors must collaborate with opinion leaders worldwide to engage in public diplomacy and secure global support,” he said. “International cooperation is essential for unification, and the Global Strategy Committee will lead these efforts.”
Amid ongoing tensions surrounding North Korea’s propaganda leaflet campaign, Tae warned against losing ground in the struggle for dominance between the two Koreas. “South Korea must not concede in this power struggle,” he advised. He added, “South Korea needs to make it clear to North Korea that our democratic system does not allow the government to control the activities of civil organizations. The government should work with these organizations to address the issue effectively.”
Regarding human rights issues in North Korea, Tae highlighted the importance of utilizing overseas networks and social media platforms. “We will leverage YouTube and other platforms to convey the realities faced by North Korean residents to the international community. By collaborating with global opinion leaders, we will strengthen public diplomacy efforts,” he concluded.
What is Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC)?
The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) is a consultative body established by the South Korean government to gather and support public opinion from local communities on policies aimed at peaceful unification. The council aims to strengthen the foundation for unification by reflecting the opinions of civil society in government policy through its regional councils, which are set up both domestically and internationally. Within South Korea, there are 18 regional councils (17 city and provincial councils, plus a North Korean regional council), and overseas, there are 5 regional councils located in Japan, China, Asia-Pacific, Americas, and Europe-Middle East-Africa.
The 21st term of the PUAC is composed of 21,984 advisors. Of these, 17,946 are domestic advisors (14,658 functional representatives and 3,288 regional representatives), and 4,038 are overseas council members representing Korean compatriots in 136 countries. The term runs from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025. Among the advisors, 6,414 are women (34.3% of the total), and 4,952 are young adults (26.5% of the total), including 1,000 selected through a youth participation recruitment program.
PUAC engages in activities to foster public consensus for peaceful unification through public opinion formation in local communities and collaboration with civil society organizations. It also actively promotes programs aimed at fostering unification awareness among the next generation, conducting various initiatives both domestically and internationally.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
PUAC Global Strategy Special Committee member
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