Date: Monday, May 10, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:40 A.M.
1. Ministry to sponsor seminar discussing the Biden administration’s
North Korea policy direction and prospective ROK-U.S. cooperation ideas
Following the recent completion of the U.S. policy review on North
Korea, there is a growing need to seek ROK-U.S. cooperation ideas in a
way that contributes toward creating a virtuous cycle between
inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations.
The Unification Ministry, taking note of such needs, will sponsor a
seminar observing the Biden administration’s North Korea policy
direction and proposing prospective ROK-U.S. cooperation ideas. The
event, co-hosted by the Korea Institute for National Unification, the
Korea National Diplomatic Academy, and the Institute for National
Security Strategy, will be held on May 13 at 10 A.M.
Minister Lee In-young will attend the event to deliver
congratulatory remarks. Experts taking part in the seminar will
discuss the U.S. North Korea policy based on a balanced understanding,
and study the need for an early engagement with North Korea as well as
specific implementation plans.
2. Ministry to launch the ‘2021 DMZ Peace Trail Walking for Unification’
The Unification Ministry will launch a new project under the name of
‘DMZ Peace Trail Walking for Unification’ from June to November.
Through this project, Korean nationals will have the opportunity to
walk and gain first-hand experience in the DMZ area.
The Ministry has set a goal of holding 10 walks this year. Three
13-day-course walks from Goseong to Paju will be carried out in June,
August and September, while seven 4-day-course walks along the border
areas in Ganghwa, Gimpo, and Yeoncheon will be arranged from July to November.
Various events will take place while the walks proceed, including
street performances as well as special lectures and tours on peace and
unification. Participants that complete the walk will be awarded a
certificate and medal from the Ministry.
The first journey begins on June 15, in commemoration of the 21st
anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration.
3. Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center to celebrate first anniversary
May 13 marks the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center’s first
full year of operation, and a celebratory event will be held on this
day at 2 P.M.
Over the past year, the Center has played a role in promoting
communication between the North Korean defectors and local residents,
arranging opportunities to experience integrated culture, and
providing counseling and cultural support for North Korean defectors.
It has achieved meaningful results, operating 46 programs and
accumulating more than 100 thousand visitors both on- and off-line.
This year, the Center will focus on diversifying its online programs
and expanding hands-on content while taking into consideration the
previous year’s performance and the prolonged Covid-19 situation.
Minister Lee will be joined by North Korean
defector-turned-lawmakers Thae Yong-ho and Ji Seong-ho, and district
Rep. Jin Seong-joon in delivering congratulatory remarks at the event.
4. Ministry to send condolences to separated families and North
Korean defectors on the occasion of ‘family month’
* The month of May in Korea is often
referred to as the ‘family month’ with Children’s Day and Parent’s
Day celebrated on May 5th and 8th respectively.
The Unification Ministry plans to send warm condolences to separated
families and North Korean defectors on the occasion of ‘family month.’
From May 12, the Ministry will deliver gift packages and condolence
messages to 1,500 separated family members in their 90s or older that
receive the Government’s livelihood subsidy. The Minister will take
part in the delivery, paying visits to the elderly living in Seoul.
From April 26 to May 10, the Ministry carried out a call service to
check in with approximately 2000 North Korean defectors over the age
of 65. Through these calls, conducted together with Hana Centers
across the country, we were able to search and support defectors in
need of assistance, including medical and welfare support.
5. Q&A (Partial)
Q. Has the Ministry identified any new developments regarding border
control between North Korea and China? Also, would it be right to say
that North Korea’s quarantine measures have changed?
A. The Ministry, together with relevant agencies, is closely
monitoring developments in the border area between North Korea and
China. At this point, the Ministry does not have sufficient
information to confirm that movements to ease border control in underway.
Consultation between North Korea and China will play into
determining border control regulations, and quarantine measures will
be one of many subjects up for consideration. However, I do not have
information on what discussions are taking place regarding border control.
