Unification Minister Chung Dong-young recently informed lawmakers that Seoul is reviewing its unilateral sanctions (the May 24 Measures) that have frozen cross-border trade since 2010. This review comes amid a shifting international landscape and new humanitarian exemptions from the United Nations.

These sanctions were originally imposed after the 2010 sinking of the ROKS Cheonan warship. They banned investment, trade, and North Korean vessel access to South Korean waters. While previous administrations called them “invalid,” they remain officially on the books.

The minister welcomed a recent UN Security Council decision to allow sanctions waivers for humanitarian aid. This move was reportedly supported by a policy shift from the Trump administration to jumpstart diplomatic dialogue.

A new plan is being considered to create a joint committee for energy cooperation. The goal is to address water shortages in the South and power shortages in the North through shared infrastructure, such as dam construction.

The shift is meeting resistance. Conservative lawmakers criticized the current administration for being too soft on Pyongyang, citing changes in military protocols and disputes with the UN Command over DMZ management.

Analysts remain skeptical. Some experts argue that lifting these sanctions is largely symbolic because North Korea is currently rejecting inter-Korean cooperation entirely, making new energy projects “hypothetical” at best.