President-elect Lee Myung-bak's transition committee has decided to disband the Unification Ministry under a controversial government reorganization plan.

Although a related bill has yet to be approved by the National Assembly, the ministry appears to be on the verge of its demise 39 years after its foundation.

Its functions will be taken over by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as the incoming administration's North Korea policy will be based on international cooperation, including the Seoul-Washington alliance.

However, prospects for parliamentary approval of the ministry's closure are uncertain. Liberal political parties, which have a majority voice at the assembly, are opposed to the plan.

In addition, groups of North Korea experts, including former unification ministers, have voiced their opposition. They declared that the government reform plan fails to take into consideration the unique nature of inter-Korean relations.