Date: Monday, November 1, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:39 A.M.
1. ROK Government to implement ‘Roadmap for Gradual Return to Normal’
For the next four weeks, the ROK will be implementing the first
stage of the new public health emergency response system ‘Roadmap for
Gradual Return to Normal.’ In line with efforts to return to normal
life while managing the Covid-19 situation, the Ministry of
Unification will be making adjustments to the operation of its
publicly used facilities.
The Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center will reopen its library
and auditorium, allowing 20~30 individuals to use the facilities per
hour. The cafe located within the Center will be open until 6 P.M.,
four hours longer that its previous 2 P.M. closing time.
The National Memorial for Abductees during the Korean War will no
longer limit the number of visitors starting November 2, and will
resume its group tours and hands-on education programs.
The Odusan Unification Tower will lift the 100 persons per hour
limit on visitors and allow group tours during the weekdays.
The Information Center on North Korea will remove its 40%
restriction on visitors and allow use of all seats within its facilities.
In addition, the Ministry will be welcoming visitors to the
exhibition currently running at the DMZ Art & Peace Platform
starting November 3. The exhibition, which was available online from
September, will be open to visitors on five time slots, each with a 30
persons cap. However, as the main exhibition hall is located north of
the civilian control line, those interested should make reservations
through the exhibition website in advance.
Lastly, the Ministry will pursue talks with agencies including the
UNC on resuming Panmunjeom tours, which was temporarily suspended in
July due to Covid-19 disease prevention and control measures. Details
such as when to resume tours, the size of tour groups, and the number
of tours per day will be discussed through these negotiations. The
Ministry will release the specifics as soon as they are set.
2. Weekly schedule
The last walk for this year’s ‘DMZ Peace Trail Walking for
Unification’ will take place from November 6 to 13. Participants will
be walking a 180km course from Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province to
Goseong County, Gangwon Province, while taking part in various
programs including street performances and special lectures.
Unification Minister Lee In-young will attend the opening ceremony on
November 6 to deliver congratulatory remarks and to encourage
participants. Above all, the Ministry will prioritize ensuring the
participants’ safety and adhering to Covid-19 quarantine measures in
carrying out the event.
On November 4, the Korea Institute for National Unification and the
Research Council on Unification Policy will be co-hosting an academic
seminar assessing the meaning of and exploring ways to realize the
end-of-war declaration. Minister Lee will deliver congratulatory video
remarks at the opening ceremony.
3. Q&A
Q. President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the Vatican reaffirmed the
pope’s intention to visit North Korea. What is the possibility of
North Korea sending an official letter of invitation to the pope?
A. The Government believes that a North Korea visit by Pope Francis
would add momentum to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. As
the pope’s intention to visit North Korea was once again confirmed
through the October 29 meeting with President Moon, we hope to see the
North respond and secure this opportunity to promote peace on the
Korean Peninsula.
Q. Pope Francis is placing emphasis on North Korea’s official letter
of invitation as a prerequisite. What message did the Unification
Ministry deliver to the Vatican, and what role can it play in this process?
A. As I’ve said earlier, a papal visit to North Korea could be a
great opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation on the Korean
Peninsula. If related discussions between the Vatican and North Korea
show progress, the Ministry will make efforts to ensure that the
pope’s visit can be an opportunity to gain international consensus and
actually promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Q. I am aware that Minister Lee will be meeting with the head of
IFRC, following discussions with WFP Executive Director David Beasley.
Could you explain what is on the agenda in discussions with these
international organizations?
A. Unification Minister Lee met with WFP Executive Director David
Beasley in Rome on October 29. Minister Lee evaluated North Korea’s
food situation, requested the WFP’s leading role in promoting the
livelihood of North Korean people, and discussed future cooperation
between the two organizations.
Minister Lee will be holding meetings with ICRC Vice-President
Gilles Carbonnier, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain, and WHO
Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus today in Geneva. Minister Lee will
evaluate current humanitarian cooperation projects pursued with each
organization and discuss a wide-range of ways to improve the North’s
humanitarian situation, including in the health, disease prevention,
and livelihood sectors. Through these consultations, we hope to
implement international aspirations for peace on the Korean Peninsula
from the humanitarian realm.
Q. The National Intelligence Service shared to the National
Assembly’s intelligence committee that train services between the
North’s Sinuiju and China’s Dandong may resume as soon as November.
Has any movement suggesting a lift in border control or resumption of
land trade between North Korea and China been detected?
A. Movements of the North preparing for trade in the border area has
been observed constantly, including the construction of disinfection
facilities and the adoption of a new law concerning the disinfection
of imported goods. Recently, activities by international organizations
and statistics provided by the China suggest the transport of goods
through sea routes. However, it is difficult to predict when the North
will open its borders as transports via land, such as operations of
the Sinuiju-Dandong railway, have not been confirmed.
Q. There have been reports that preparations for an additional SLBM
test has been detected at the Sinpo Shipyard in the North. Can the
Ministry confirm such reports? What is the Ministry’s position?
A. The South Korean military is closely monitoring the North’s
military developments and making necessary preparations in close
cooperation with the United States. There is nothing the Unification
Ministry can confirm regarding military information.
