Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho speaks during a lecture at the George Washington University's Institute for Korean Studies in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18. Yonhap

South Korea's point man on inter-Korean affairs described the unification of the Korean Peninsula as a "moral" obligation on Thursday as North Korea has shunned the idea of unification and defined the South as a "hostile" state in its constitution.

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho made the remarks during a lecture in Washington, after Pyongyang's state media confirmed this week that the reclusive state's basic law "clearly" codifies South Korea as a hostile nation rather than a partner for cooperation.

Kim also underscored that the North's erasing of unification references reflects the North's recognition of successful national advances in South Korea and its sense of "defeat" in competition against its southern neighbor.

"It is true that there are controversies surrounding the issue of unification, but what I want to tell you is that for Koreans, unification is a moral obligation," he said during the lecture at the George Washington University's Institute for Korean Studies.

"I believe that we have to approach the unification issue from a standpoint of moral obligation and a value-oriented perspective away from the economic cost-benefit calculus," he added.

He was responding to a question about a survey that found that a vast majority of Koreans in their 20s believe that unification is not needed.

Despite what he called North Korea's "anti-unification" policy, he stressed that South Korea will pursue a "free and peaceful" unification under a doctrine that President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in August based on principles of freedom, peace and prosperity.

"Among action plans (under the doctrine), there are things that can proceed through dialogue and discussions with North Korean authorities, but there are measures that the unification ministry and our government can push for on their own even if North Korea does not accede to it," Kim said.

"While seeking dialogue with the North continuously, the (Seoul) government will take every step that we can to lay the groundwork for unification."

Moreover, the minister reiterated that Seoul does not pursue unification by "absorbing" the North.

"But a free, prosperous South Korea can be considered as a threat to the North Korean regime," he said.

He also highlighted Seoul's push to help enhance human rights in North Korea, disagreeing with the view that such a push will undercut efforts for inter-Korean dialogue.

"The ultimate goal of unification is to ensure that all on the Korean Peninsula enjoy freedom, human rights and prosperity," he said. "The enhancement of human rights should be among the most important agenda items for cross-border relations."

Kim was in Washington to hold trilateral talks with officials from the United States and Japan, and attend other events. (Yonhap)