Date: Monday, February 21, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Academic seminars on inter-Korean relations and unification to be held
Local governments, research institutes and civic organizations are
scheduled to hold various academic events on inter-Korean relations
and unification this week. Through such occasions, the Ministry will
have the opportunity to communicate with policy customers and experts
from all walks of life.
The Korea Institute for National Unification, Korea National
Diplomatic Academy, and Institute for National Security Strategy will
be co-hosting an academic seminar commemorating 30 years since the
effectuation of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement today at 1:30 P.M.
The Basic Agreement was signed in December 1991, and effectuated in
February of 1992. The seminar will look back at the meaning of the
agreement and discuss future implementation directions. Minister Lee
In-young will attend the event and deliver congratulatory remarks.
The 2022 Pyeongchang Peace Forum, co-hosted by Gangwon Province,
Pyeongchang country and KOICA, and sponsored by the Ministries of
Unification and Foreign Affairs will be held from February 22 to 24.
Starting with Chairman Jim Rogers’ keynote speech on peace and
economic development on the Korean Peninsula, the forum will discuss a
wide range of inter-Korean cooperation ideas including sports,
tourism, and those concerning the environment. Minister Lee will
attend the opening ceremony and deliver congratulatory remarks.
On February 24, the Korea Institute for International Economic
Policy will hold an international seminar on building peace and
security on the Korean Peninsula. Experts from home and abroad
including former U.S. special representative for North Korea Policy
Joseph Yun will review the effects sanctions against North Korea have
on North Korea’s economy and humanitarian cooperation, while also
looking into future fields of inter-Korean cooperation such as climate
change. Minister Lee will attend the seminar and deliver
congratulatory remarks.
Other scheduled events include an international conference on
inter-Korean academic exchange held by the International Society for
Korean Studies, as well as a meeting of the Korean Council for
Reconciliation and Cooperation.
2. Q&A
Q. With the Beijing Olympics having come to a close, the possibility
of North Korea resuming weapons tests including missile launches is
being raised. What is the Ministry’s take on this outlook?
A. The Ministry, while keeping a watch on various observations and
prospects regarding the North’s future activities, will prepare for
all possibilities by closely monitoring related developments without
making assumptions on what the North’s next moves may be.
In response to North Korea’s series of missile launches in January,
the Ministry urged the North to suspend actions that undermine peace
and bring about instability on the Korean Peninsula, to maintain its
moratorium promised to the international community, and to respond to
our calls for dialogue and cooperation.
The Ministry once again urges the North to choose a path of dialogue
and cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It
will do its best to manage the situation on the peninsula in a
peaceful manner.