(LEAD) Unification ministry defends white paper against criticism over 'two-state' language
South Korea's unification ministry has defended the use of 'two-state' language in its latest white paper, clarifying it does not constitute legal recognition of North Korea as a state. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said the 'peace-oriented two-state approach' differs fundamentally from North Korea's 'two hostile states' policy. The ministry described the language as an implementation strategy for peaceful coexistence.