Date: Monday, January 10, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:41 A.M.
1. Ministry to discuss implementation of 2022 Work Plan
The Unification Ministry devised its 2022 Work Plan under the theme
of “Peace on the Korean Peninsula” and reported it to the President
and the general public at the end of last year.
The Ministry reported that it will carry out a consistent North
Korea and unification policy and establish the foundation for peace
and unification to restore inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation,
while focusing on the goal of promoting the Korean peace process
without interruption.
This week, each Ministry office will draw up detailed implementation
plans for the 2022 work plan, and discussions will be held to enhance
the effectiveness of policies by analyzing the policy environment,
inspecting execution strategies and looking into risk management.
At an important time calling for a new turning point to improve
inter-Korean relations and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula,
the Unification Ministry will do its best to fulfill its
responsibilities as an agency in charge of North Korean affairs based
on the findings and plans gathered this week.
2. Q&A
Q. Recently, there have been calls to use vaccines to promote
inter-Korean relations. How much Covid-19 vaccines can be purchased
with the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund? Would vaccine cooperation with
the North have any conflict with North Korea sanctions? Lastly, is
this a matter to be discussed with the U.S.?
A. A South-North joint response to infectious diseases such as
Covid-19 is essential as it concerns the safety of both North and
South Korean residents. However, the Government believes that
inter-Korean cooperation concerning the provision of Covid-19 vaccines
is a matter to be pursued at a time when the safety of our people is
secured and public consensus is formed. The North’s intentions and
international community trends are also factors to be considered. The
Government is not reviewing specific measures at this moment. It will
seek possible cooperation based on public consensus while
comprehensively considering a wide range of aspects including the
spread of Covid-19 at home and abroad, our vaccine capacity, and the
state of inter-Korean relations.
Meanwhile, the international community including the United States
share the thought that no country should be excluded from access to
Covid-19 vaccines, and that sanctions should not interrupt efforts to
fight against the virus. I would also like to note that discussions
are underway to support vaccines to the North through COVAX Facility.
Q. The North’s Rodong Sinmun reported today that its
control-oriented Covid-19 response should shift to being more advanced
and people-oriented. Does the Ministry evaluate that this change may
lead to the North accepting vaccines or aid concerning Covid-19 treatment?
A. The North stressed at the plenary meeting of the Party Central
Committee last year that disease prevention should be made a top
priority, adding that the work should be promoted to reinforce and
complete the means and forces needed for switching its preventive
measures into an advanced and people-oriented one. In today’s Rodong
Sinmun, the North emphasized the need to move to a more advanced,
people-oriented approach from the current control-focused antivirus measures.
The Government will keep an eye on how this new path raised by the
North will materialize, paying particular attention to the possibility
of it leading to changes in its strict policy, including its border lockdown.
Q. Are routine calls through the South-North Joint Liaison Office
operating as usual? Has the North responded to the South’s proposal to
establish a video conference system?
A. Since the restoration of inter-Korean communications channels on
October 4, the South and the North are making daily routine calls
twice a day, at 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. Today’s 9 A.M. call went through as usual.
Following the restoration of inter-Korean communications channels in
July 29, the Government proposed holding talks on establishing a video
conference system between the two sides. We are yet awaiting for the
North’s response. The Government hopes the North respond to its
proposal at an early date, making it possible to establish a system in
which the two Koreas can communicate safely and effectively even under
conditions like Covid-19.
Q. With regards to the recent border-crossing by a North Korean
defector, some argue that the Government has neglected the defectors
or that there is a loophole in the policy supporting these
individuals. What is the Ministry’s position regarding such claims?
A. Upon finalizing the Third Master Plan for Settlement Support for
North Korean Defectors last year, the Ministry has pursued a
settlement support policy focused on social integration and aimed at
realizing a welcoming society in which North Korean defectors become neighbors.
In this direction, efforts have been made to expand defector support
policy beyond ensuring livelihood to further assisting their
independence and embracing them as a member of society. As part of
such efforts, the Government has strengthened emotional and
psychological support for North Korean defectors this year. In
particular, the Government has sought to preemptively discover and
resolve areas of improvement in the process of implementing policy.
For example, cash-based aid has been enforced including increased
additional benefits for the elderly, and subscription requirements for
the Future Happiness Bankbook which serves to help defectors build
their assets has been adjusted.
Since 2019, the Government conducts a half yearly survey of
vulnerable defector households to discover defectors suffering from or
expected to experience economic and/or psychological difficulties, and
accordingly provide customized support. The survey is part of efforts
to minimize blind spots in welfare for North Korean defectors. This
year, the Ministry is preparing to launch a new team to provide
vulnerable defectors with round-the-clock support. This team, after
going through consultations with related agencies, is expected to
start operations in January or February.
Q. The Ministry refuted a domestic news report claiming that 771
North Korean defectors left the South. If the report is not true, what
is the exact current status?
A. The Ministry released a press note in response to a report made
over the weekend claiming that 771 North Korean defectors have left
the South to seek asylum in a third country. The issued press note
clarifies that the report incorrectly cited statistics that represent
the number of defectors that have departed overseas, and does not
conform to objective facts.
For your reference, a total of 20 North Korean defectors have
immigrated abroad over the past five years (from 2016 to 2020).