North Korea has renamed the important meeting place “Unity House” on the North Korean side of the Korean Peninsula’s border at Panmunjom to “Panmun Pavilion”, confirming South Korean officials. This move is believed to be part of North Korea’s possible acceleration of its “de-unification” policy.
According to reports from the South Korean news agency, the South Korean Ministry of Unification spokesperson, Gu Byung-sam, confirmed on Monday (May 19) that North Korea had renamed “Unity House” to “Panmun Pavilion” in August last year and put up a new signboard.
Gu Byung-sam mentioned that looking back at North Korea’s announcement of the “Foreign Relations of Two Hostile Nations” since last year and accelerated efforts in various aspects to promote the “de-unification” policy, this action in Pyongyang may be one aspect of that policy.
It is reported that North Korean authorities had already removed the signboard of “Unity House” in January last year.
Unity House is an important venue used by the leaders of North and South Korea for direct dialogue and diplomatic activities at Panmunjom.
On May 26, 2018, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un held talks at the “Unity House” on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, and the building holds significant symbolic importance.