Explainer - South Korea's unique Unification Ministry has thorny task of handling ties with North

FILE PHOTO: South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon speaks during a farewell ceremony for a joint onsite survey for the connection and modernization of the Inter-Korean railway at Dorasan station in Paju, South Korea, November 30, 2018. Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, has seen its standing wax and wane along with relations between the still officially warring neighbours.

The ministry returned to prominence this year after three summits between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended with pledges to defuse military tensions, restart economic cooperation and formally end the 1950-53 Korean War.