The newly launched panel on unification faces daunting challenges in the face of frozen inter-Korean relations, steadfast cross-border military tension and President Park Geun-hye’s rigid North Korea policy.

The 50-member preparation committee set sail Tuesday with the aim of devising a unification blueprint and detailed action plans. The president will head the group, supported by former Ambassador to China Chung Chong-wook and Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae as vice chairs, as well as other policymakers, scholars and media experts.

The announcement came as Park seeks to kick-start a languid unification drive that she unveiled early this year as the centerpiece of her second-year presidency. She has said an integrated Korea would bring about a “bonanza” to all and a chance for the national economy to take a leap forward.

Her plan for the panel was delayed for months as the much-trumpeted campaign lost momentum in the wake of the Sewol ferry debacle, as well as Pyongyang’s threats of a new nuclear test and relentless verbal attacks on Seoul.

But Cheong Wa Dae was apparently emboldened by the brightened mood in inter-Korean ties after the North said it will send a squad of athletes and cheerleaders to the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, for which the two sides will hold a meeting Thursday.

Yet concerns persist that the committee may become yet another unification-related organization lacking in initiative and influence. Its role would overlap with those of the Unification Ministry and the National Unification Advisory Council, observers say.

“The panel has significance particularly in that it includes those from both the conservative and liberal circles but how big its say is going to be remains in question,” a North Korea expert said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The council will likely see its clout shrivel further. Its primary mandate is to gather various opinions on unification and reflect them in its policy recommendations, while raising awareness to build national consensus on North Korea and unification policy, which is similar to the task of the panel.

Launched in 1981, the association is also chaired by the president and has 500 standing members and more than 272 regional consultative bodies at home and abroad.

“Public-private consultations and research on unification preparations is the main job of the committee,” said Ju Chul-ki, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security.

“The Unification Ministry will maintain its functions as the chief agency in charge of unification policy, such as drawing up and implementing government policy and inter-Korean dialogue, while the NUAC continues to collect public opinion and make advice and recommendations. Their functions and roles will not overlap with those of the committee.”

For the new panel to do its share, Cheong Wa Dae should bolster the ministry, seek to change its rigid attitude toward the North and improve cross-border relations, observers say.

With foreign affairs and security being the conservative Park’s fortes, Cheong Wa Dae’s hard-line, former military commanders have apparently been dominating the decision-making process, while the ministry has focused on regular, administrative tasks linked with inter-Korean affairs.

Seoul has also brushed off Pyongyang’s ongoing peace offensive as it continues to escalate tension with actions such as test-firing short-range missiles into the sea.

“I think skepticism is inevitable given the current status of the NUAC and that Cheong Wa Dae keeps a firm hold on all issues related to North Korea,” a Seoul official said on customary condition of anonymity.

“With the new chief of the National Intelligence Service, Cheong Wa Dae will hopefully show some change and embrace more flexibility.”

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)