It gained its current status in 1998 and has played a major role in promoting inter-Korean dialogues, exchanges and cooperation.

[3] Under previous minister Yu Woo-ik, the ministry consisted of one office for planning and coordination; three bureaus for unification policy, inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and humanitarian cooperation; one special bureau for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex project; and five affiliated agencies on unification education, inter-Korean dialogue, transit between the South and the North, settlement support for dislocated North Koreans and inter-Korean consultations on exchanges and cooperation.

[4] During Park Geun-hye administration, the MOU has assigned nine core tasks and three cooperative tasks in order to settle peace and establish a foundation for a unified Korea considering the security circumstances and national consensus.

[5] During Moon Jae-in administration, the MOU had initiated several tasks to ease the tension with North Korea.

The ministry's aims as of 2008[6] were: According to the Ministry website, its major duties are as follows: The Hong Yong-pyo administration is guided by four principles: a balanced approach; North Korea policy that evolves over time; and cooperation with the international community.