Date: Monday, May 3, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:40 A.M.
1. Regarding vice department director Kim Yo Jong’s statement about leaflets
The Unification Ministry would like to reiterate its position
regarding vice department director Kim Yo Jong’s statement on the
dissemination of leaflets.
The Government has been exerting utmost efforts to protect the lives
and safety of our people, implement inter-Korean agreements, and
promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The police has formed a task force and commenced investigation into
the dissemination of leaflets to North Korea last week. The Ministry
will be watching how the investigation results turn out, while seeking
to implement the revised Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act in
accordance with its purpose of protecting the safety and lives of
border area residents.
The Government opposes all acts by any party, including the North,
that create tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It will continue efforts
to build peace and improve inter-Korean relations.
2. Minister’s Schedule
Minister Lee In-young is attending a panel discussion co-hosted by
Rep. Choi Jong-yoon and the National Assembly’s research group on
climate change today from 10 A.M. The Minister will discuss climate
change cooperation methods through inter-Korean renewable engery
cooperation together with lawmakers, experts and private organization officials.
On May 7, Minister Lee will attend a welcome ceremony for
participants of the 2021 correspondents program composed of elementary
school students, university students, and North Korean defectors.
Participants, ranging from teenagers to those in their 30s, will take
on the role of delivering news on the issue of peaceful unification in
an easy and friendly manner. The Government will actively support each
correspondents group in portraying various perspectives on unification issues.
3. Q&A
Q. Does the Ministry have plans to file a complaint or request for a
separate investigation regarding the dissemination of leaflets by a
North Korean defector group in addition to the one conducted by the police?
A. As mentioned earlier, the police has already formed a task force
to carry out an investigation, and I am aware that they have announced
their plan to conduct a prompt and thorough probe. Therefore, as of
now, the Ministry does not feel the need to request anything to
supplement current efforts.
The Government will watch the investigation process and cooperate
with the police to ensure that the Development of Inter-Korean
Relations Act can be implemented in accordance with the purpose of its revision.
Q. On a related note, does the phrase “by any party, including the
North” from the Unification Ministry’s stance on Kim Yo Jong’s
statement refer to both North Korea and the activist group that is
sending leaflets?
A. It is a reference to all parties who have an interest in peace on
the Korean Peninsula. In particular, North Korea is a party directly
involved in easing tensions and settling permanent peace on the Korean
Peninsula as it pledged to put forth such efforts by signing
inter-Korean summit agreements.
It is an emphasis on the need to stop all acts that create tension
on the Korean Peninsula and a calling for cooperation in settling
peace, in respect of former inter-Korean agreements.
Q. Then does this include the U.S.?
A. It includes all parties that hold an interest in peace on the
Korean Peninsula.
Q. North Korea’s statement about President Biden was made under the
name of director general Kwon Jong Gun – is this a common practice? If
it is common, what is the Ministry’s understanding of its intention?
A. North Korea has expressed its position about official remarks and
policy decisions by the South and the U.S. in a variety of ways. It
issues statements under the name of a policy official in charge or an
official organization, and it also expresses its position through
media outlets as well. As the North’s position is expressed in so many
different ways, calmly observing and analyzing related trends would be
more appropriate, rather than giving meaning to the delivery method.
Q. As a follow up question, some news reports assess that North
Korea toned down its criticism as the statement about President Biden
was issued by an individual of the Foreign Ministry rather than its
spokesperson. How does the Ministry see this?
A. A statement under an individual’s name is seen as somewhat less
official than one made under a specific organization. However, the
North’s intentions or position cannot be analyzed by simply looking
into how or under what name the statement was delivered. It can be
seen as one of many aspects to consider as reference.
Q. The North mentioned quite a few times in its statements yesterday
that it would look into taking “corresponding action.” Were any
related movements detected in the North with regards to this?
A. There are no unusual trends that I can confirm as of now.
As North Korea is a party directly involved in the signing of
inter-Korean summits, it should respect the spirit and purpose of the
agreements and refrain from building tension on the Korean Peninsula.
