Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
November 6, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
At 2 P.M. today, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho will meet with
Korean beat journalists covering the Unification Ministry’s affairs on
the occasion of his 100th days since he assumed office.
On November 7 and 8, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the
Special Committee on Budget & Accounts for non-economic ministries
to examine next year’s budget bills. Minister Kim will deliver
congratulatory video remarks at the 4th International Academic Forum:
Sustainable Development of Indigenous Languages on November 7 at 10 A.M.
On November 9, at 9 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the inquiry
session on policy of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on
Budget & Accounts. The Minister’s congratulatory remarks at the
2023 Indo-Pacific Vision Forum will be delivered by the Deputy
Minister for Unification Policy. Minister Kim will attend a plenary
session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs & Unification
Committee at 10 A.M.
On November 10, Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting at 8
A.M., and the inquiry session on policy of the National Assembly’s
Special Committee on Budget & Accounts at 10 A.M. Due to these
schedules, his congratulatory remarks at a seminar of the Korean War
Abductees’ Family Union will be delivered by Vice Minister Moon
Seoung-hyun at 1:30 P.M.
2. Q&A
Q) Have there been any specific discussions or plans with the United
Nations Command regarding the resumption of Panmunjeom tours? When
does the Ministry expect the tours to resume?
A) As you may be aware, the US soldier crossed into North Korea on
July 18, and the United Nations Command has temporarily suspended
Panmunjeom tours until further notice.
We will discuss the necessary measures with the United Nations
Command and other relevant organizations regarding the resumption of
Panmunjeom tours. However, the exact timing is difficult to predict at
this stage.
Q) How does the Unification Ministry analyze the significance of
North Korea instituting the “Day of the Missile Industry?”
A) As you may have seen in the media, North Korea designated
November 18 as the Day of the Missile Industry at a session of the
Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
For reference, in 2021, North Korea marked November 29 as “Rocket
Industry Day,” however there were no special events and it disappeared
the following year without any explanation. Therefore, we do not
assume North Korea's intentions regarding the Day of the Missile
Industry and will keep an eye on related developments in the future.
However, it is deeply disappointing and deplorable that North Korea
is commemorating actions that have threatened the Republic of Korea
and the international community which clearly violate international
norms, including UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the
development of ballistic missiles.
Q) Just to follow up on the previous questions, Kim Jong Un’s
daughter accompanied him on an ICBM test launch last year. Do you
consider that the creation of the Day of the Missile Industry could
signal North Korea’s fourth generation succession?
A) There could be a number of possible intentions of North Korea,
however, we will not make any assumptions and continue monitoring
relevant activities.