Date: Monday, March 29, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:40 A.M.
1. Institute for Unification Education to be renamed as National
Institute for Unification Education
The Institute for Unification Education will be renamed as the
National Institute for Unification Education taking effect from March 30.
In an effort to promote the change, the Ministry will hold a
signboard ceremony tomorrow at 2:30 P.M., followed by a policy
advisory council meeting on unification education where members will
explore ways for future improvement.
Minister Lee In-young will take part in both events.
2. Ministry to release ‘Organizational Chart of North Korean
Leadership’ and ‘Timetable of North Korea’s Key Events in 2021’
The Ministry of Unification will be releasing two annual
publications this week as part of efforts to assist the general public
in better understanding the North.
The ‘Organizational Chart of North Korean Leadership,’ a schematized
summary of the North’s major organizations, key positions and
personnel, reflects major changes confirmed through the North’s party
congress held in January.
The ‘Timetable of North Korea’s Key Events in 2021’ lists events and
holidays scheduled for this year along with a short history of each occasion.
The Ministry will distribute these publications to related academia,
research institutes, and media outlets. It will also be uploaded on
the North Korea Information Portal (https://nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr/).
3. Minister's Schedule
Minister Lee In-young will attend the cabinet meeting tomorrow at 10 A.M.
4. Vice Minister’s Schedule
Newly appointed Vice Minister Choi Young Joon is making inaugural
visits to members of the National Assembly, including Speaker Park Byeong-seug.
On April 1, Vice Minister Choi will attend the vice-minister’s
conference at 10:30 A.M.
5. Q&A
Q. The amendment to the ‘Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act,’
which bans the dissemination of leaflets toward the North, will take
effect starting tomorrow. I would like to know the Ministry’s position
regarding this. Also, what efforts has the Ministry made, and will
continue to make, to persuade domestic and international organizations
that have expressed concerns?
A. Yes, the amendment to the ‘Development of Inter-Korean Relations
Act’ and its enforcement decree will take effect as of March 30. The
guidelines for interpretation of the amendment will also take effect
starting tomorrow.
As noted on a number of previous occasions, the amendment was
pursued with the intent of ensuring the accommodation of a wide range
of human rights values including the protection of lives and safety of
border-area residents and promotion of North Koreans’ right to know
through the dissemination of leaflets and other items.
Following concerns over the bill, the Ministry clarified the scope
of its application through guidelines. The Ministry also maintained
communication with domestic and international human rights groups
while drawing up the guidelines and preparing for the enforcement of
the law.
In the process of implementing the law, the Ministry will strive to
do so in line with the government’s goal of improving the human rights
situation of North Koreans and inter-Korean relations, and settling
peace on the Korean Peninsula.
We emphasize that the Ministry will apply the law in a flexible and
reasonable manner.
Q. Director-general Jo Chol Su of the North’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs released a statement criticizing the UN Security Council’s
recent closed working-level consultation as a ‘double standard’
infringing upon their right to self-defense. What is the Ministry’s
view on this?
A. Rather than commenting on each statement issued by the North
Korean authorities, I would like to stress that the Government will
continue its efforts toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,
establishment of peace, and improvement of inter-Korean relations. It
will do so while adhering to the position that under no circumstances
should military tensions be created.
Now is the time for the South, the North and the U.S. to make
efforts to keep dialogue alive, and any action that hinders such
efforts is not desirable at all.
The Ministry, while calmly monitoring the North’s movements, will
continue its efforts to peacefully and stably manage the situation on
the Korean Peninsula.
Q. With the Biden administration’s North Korea policy review nearing
completion and a meeting among national security advisors of Korea,
Japan and the U.S. coming up, does the Unification Ministry have a
message it intends to deliver?
A. We are hearing from the U.S. side that the North Korea policy
review is in its final stages, and that the U.S. is and will closely
consult with allies in the review process.
There have been a number of opportunities for coordination between
South Korea and the U.S., and I understand that the Government’s
position is being fully communicated to the U.S. side. The Unification
Ministry, likewise, has had various opportunities to convey its ideas
through consultations with related agencies.
Q. What conclusion was drawn after the Minister’s meeting last week
with civic groups on humanitarian cooperation with the North?
A. The Government’s position is that humanitarian cooperation should
be pursued regardless of political and military situations. We have
also underlined that cooperation at the civic level should be pursued
in a way that respects the autonomy of the private sector.
Meetings with civic organizations were arranged based on such
grounds, and we continue to listen to their views through such
opportunities. I believe there will be a chance for the Government to
explain its position after going through more thorough review.
