The South Korean government’s official stance is that it “does not pursue unification by absorption,” a Ministry of Unification (MOU) spokesperson stressed on Friday, after an opposition party leader voiced support for the idea.

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the main opposition People’s Power Party, argued in a TV debate earlier this week that the only realistic path to unification is for the South Korean government to assume control over North Korea. He added that he supports “peaceful” unification by absorption, though the idea is generally premised on the fall of the DPRK regime.

MOU deputy spokesperson Cha Deok-cheol said