Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
December 4, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
On December 5, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho will attend the
cabinet meeting at 10 A.M.
On December 6, Minister Kim will pay a courtesy visit to Archbishop
Peter Chung Soon-Taick of the Catholic Church of Korea at 11 A.M.
On December 7, at noon, Minister Kim will meet with repatriated
abductees from North Korea at the Government Complex, following which
a press release will be distributed.
On December 8, at 1:30 P.M., Minister Kim will attend the 2023
Chaillot Human Rights Forum hosted by the Korea Institute for National
Unification and deliver congratulatory remarks.
2. Q&A
Q) Could you confirm a news report that the Ministry is considering
changing the name of the New Future Initiative on Unification? Also,
could you provide specific details on the progress of this initiative?
A) Taking into account Article 4 of the Constitution and universal
human values, the Unification Ministry has been reviewing the vision
for a unified future. However, neither the content nor the format has
been finalized at this stage.
Q) North Korea has been condemning the South regarding the
September 19 Military Agreement, including today’s Rodong Sinmun which
warned that South Korea will face "miserable ruin." What is
the Ministry’s take on this?
A) The Ministry of Unification strongly condemns North Korea for
repeatedly making false and groundless claims through the KCNA and the
Ministry of National Defense press statement about our justified
action of partially suspending the September 19 Military Agreement.
Our military is only taking defensive measures in response to North
Korea's de facto nullification of the September 19 Military Agreement
and its military threats.
In addition, North Korea's attempt to draw internal division by
using disrespectful language against our President through its
military commentator’s article in the KCNA only showcases their
substandard level, which will yield no effect.
North Korea should refrain from actions that test our military
preparedness and immediately cease false provocations and military
threats, and choose a path of dialogue and cooperation.
Q) North Korea claims that South Korea has continuously violated
the September 19 Military Agreement by engaging in activities such as
loudspeaker broadcasts near the DMZ, which are prohibited under the
Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act. The North argued that the
South performed 3,100 loudspeaker broadcasting provocations this year.
Could you confirm if this is true? If not, could you provide any
speculation why such claims are made?
A) To my knowledge, our military is conducting normal military
operations and is not currently engaged in loudspeaker broadcasting
for propaganda purposes toward North Korea. It is not for me to
confirm the intentions or motives behind North Korea's accusations.
Q) Is it true that loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea are
prohibited under the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act? The
Minister also stated at the National Assembly that the resumption of
loudspeaker broadcasts has not been decided. Is there any ongoing
discussion among relevant ministries regarding this matter?
A) Loudspeaker broadcasts are indeed prohibited under the
Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act. We do not have information
to confirm at this stage as for any ongoing discussions regarding this
matter among relevant authorities.
