Date: Monday, July 12, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:41 A.M.
1. Ministry’s response to enhanced social distancing measures
Staring today, level 4 social distancing rules will be applied to
the capital region (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province) for two
weeks. Accordingly, the Ministry of Unification will make necessary
adjustments in a direction that strictly complies with the quarantine measures.
Face-to-face gatherings and events will be put on hold, while
meetings and briefings will be conducted in a contact-free manner.
Most of the Minister’s and Vice Minister’s schedules and events
arranged by the Ministry were canceled or rescheduled. Furthermore,
the Ministry’s regular press briefing method has also been partially
changed. Press briefings will be conducted on Mondays and Fridays as
usual, but questions will be received prior to the session.
Management of publicly used facilities and programs operated by the
Ministry will be adjusted to comply with quarantine measures.
Panmunjeom tours have been temporarily suspended from July 9, and the
‘2021 DMZ Peace Trail Walking for Unification’ project is also
undergoing necessary adjustments. In addition, the Ministry’s training
facilities such as the National Institute for Unification Education
and the Center for Unified Korean Future will convert their curricula
to no-contact programs, while observation facilities including the
Odusan Unification Tower, National Memorial for Abductees during the
Korean War, and Information Center on North Korea will limit the
number of users per hour.
Internally, the Ministry will refrain from holding meetings and
lower population density by dispersing 30% of its work force.
The Ministry will thoroughly comply with the quarantine measures as
a top priority.
2. Q&A (Partial)
Q. What is the Ministry’s position regarding the recently raised
suggestion to abolish the Ministry of Unification?
A. The Ministry of Unification should continue to exist and improve
in order to realize the spirit of the ROK Constitution toward peaceful
unification, to heal the wounds of division, and to accelerate
peaceful coexistence and common prosperity between the two Koreas.
Q. In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of signing the Sino-DPRK
Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, the two sides
held various events. What does these events show in terms of current
relations between North Korea and China, and how does the Ministry
evaluate the level of affinity between the two sides.
A. North Korea and China celebrated the 60th anniversary by
exchanging congratulatory messages between the two leaders, holding
celebratory banquets, and contributing an op-ed piece to the Rodong
Sinmun by the Chinese Ambassador to North Korea. North Korea and
China usually celebrate the occasion in large-scale every five years,
but due to Covid-19, this year’s celebration was held at a local level
without any exchange of delegates.
Meanwhile, through its 8th party congress in January, North
Korea expressed its plan to expand and improve relations with
socialist countries. The North also seemingly emphasized friendship
with China on a number of occasions, including the 100th anniversary
of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party and the recent
60th anniversary of signing the Sino-DPRK Treaty of Friendship,
Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. The Government will keep an eye on
future developments in relations between North Korea and China, and
look out for any changes in its emphasis on the friendship of these
two states.
Q. Has there been any observation on the resumption of trade in the
border area between North Korea and China?
A. Movements of the North in preparation for resuming trade in the
border area has been detected constantly. However, the timing of the
resumption is a matter to be decided through consultations between
China and North Korea. Currently, there are no signs confirming border
openings or trade resumptions.
Q. Regarding the Government’s letter to UN special rapporteur on
human rights in North Korea, what was the process behind it? Also, the
Government reportedly responded that it restricts the means of sending
leaflets to the North (not the contents) – does this mean that there
is a change in the previous position which pointed out problems with
the contents of leaflets?
A. On April 19, the ROK Government received a joint letter from four
U.N. special rapporteurs on the amended Development of Inter-Korean
Relations Act. In response, the Government submitted an answer on July
8, after undergoing consultations among related agencies.
In the response, the Government explained that the revisions to the
Act is aimed at protecting the lives and safety of residents in the
border area, and that the act of disseminating leaflets is only
restricted if and when it causes harm or poses serious threat to the
lives and physical bodies of the people. Contents of the leaflets,
such as obscene propaganda, are not regulated by the Act – this is an
aspect that falls under the jurisdiction of other laws.
Q. The North’s Foreign Ministry website posted a commentary accusing
the U.S. of using humanitarian aid such as providing vaccines as a
tool for interfering with internal affairs. Does the Ministry believe
that the article can be interpreted as North Korea’s refusal to accept
vaccine from the U.S. or South Korea?
A. The Ministry does not officially comment on or evaluate opinion
articles published in the Rodong Sinmun or on the North’s official
websites. Whether the argument is an official position of the North
Korean authorities needs to be seen.
However, the Government believes that to ensure the safety of South
and North Korean people in response to infectious diseases such as
Covid-19, cooperation between the two Koreas as well as with the
international community is necessary. From this perspective, we will
monitor the North’s attitude and review appropriate cooperation
measures while considering the safety of our people, public consensus,
and international support.
