Date: Monday, January 13, 2019
Time: 10:30-10:41 A.M.
1. Minister's Schedules
Minister Kim Yeon Chul will attend a banquet held by the Institute
for Far Eastern Studies and the University of North Korean Studies
today(1.13) at 4 P.M. Furthermore, Minister Kim will hold policy
briefings for Ambassadors to the R.O.K. from today to Wednesday(1.15)
at 6:30 P.M. on each respective day.
On Tuesday(1.14), Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting at 10
A.M., followed by a meeting with heads of religious groups and social
organizations at 11:40 A.M.
On Wednesday(1.15), Minister Kim will deliver congratulatory remarks
at a seminar held by Rail Hope at 3 P.M.
2. Vice Minister's Schedules
Vice Minister Suh Ho is on leave until Wednesday(1.15)
On Thursday(1.16), Vice Minister Suh will attend the vice-ministers’
conference at 10:30 A.M.
3. Q&A (Partial)
Q. What is the Unification Ministry’s position regarding the recent
statement issued by the North’s Foreign Ministry advisor Kim Kye Gwan?
Also, through which channel did the government deliver President
Trump’s message to the North?
A. As the Ministry explained last Friday, there is nothing for us to
confirm regarding the delivery of President Trump’s message to the
North. Furthermore, there is nothing to comment on regarding advisor
Kim Kye Gwan’s statement. However, the South and the North should make
efforts toward mutual respect in order to improve inter-Korean
relations and to settle peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Q. Could you specifically explain which Ambassadors will be
attending the policy briefings?
A. Ambassadors from EU, Sweden, Finland, France and Germany will be
attending the policy briefing on Monday(1.13), Ambassadors from Czech
Republic, Poland, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mongolia on Tuesday(1.14),
and Ambassadors from the U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand on Wednesday(1.15).
Q. You have mentioned before that the South and the North remain at
very different standpoints on issues concerning Mount Geumgang. How
are negotiations progressing between the two sides, are talks being held?
A. Yes, negotiations between the two Koreas are ongoing. However, as
mentioned before, the South and the North’s view toward resuming Mount
Geumgang tours are still far apart. While the North continues to
insist that the South should remove the facilities at Mt. Geumgang and
negotiations be carried out through document exchange, we are seeking
to arrange various forms of government-level meetings with the North
to resume Mt. Geumgang tours.
Q. There are speculations that the North will continue to seek
solutions with the U.S. while keeping the South on the sidelines. What
is the Ministry’s view on this, and how long do you suppose this
approach will last?
A. It is true that inter-Korean talks are at a halt since the summit
between North Korea and the U.S. in Hanoi. However, the Ministry is
not in the position to comment on whether the North is keeping the
South out of negotiations or whether it is prioritizing the U.S. over
the South. With the plenary meeting of the North’s Party Central
Committee held last year, we are keeping a close eye on the North’s
position toward the South.
