Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
January 22, 2024
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
On January 23, at 10 A.M., Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho will
attend the cabinet meeting.
On January 24, at 2:30 P.M., Minister Kim will attend and give a
lecture at the New Year’s greeting of the Peaceful Unification
Advisory Council.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
On January 22, at 2 P.M., Vice Minister Moon Seoung-hyun will attend
and deliver a congratulatory speech at the entrance ceremony of a
leadership course on unification policy arranged by the National
Institute for Unification Education.
At 4 P.M., Vice Minister Moon will chair the first meeting of the
2024 Council on North Korean Human Rights.
On January 24, Vice Minister Moon will attend a follow-up live
interview hosted by KTV at 10:40 A.M.
3 Q&A
Q) At the Non-Aligned Movement(NAM) summit in Uganda, North Korea
has justified its efforts to enhance military capabilities, asserting
that it was a legitimate exercise of sovereign rights in response to
military tensions led by Washington. What is the Ministry’s take on
this?
A) The ROKG has released a number of statements on
North Korea’s ongoing development of nuclear weapons and missiles,
which constitutes a violation of numerous UN Security Council
resolutions and poses a threat to our national security. I would like
to reiterate our existing position in this regard.
Q) North Korea’s KCNA reported the results of its foreign
minister Choe Son Hui’s visit to Russia, stating that the two sides
are placing their relationship on a new legal basis. There are
analyses suggesting that it might imply of de facto military
realignment. What is the Ministry’s assessment or analysis on this?
A) I’ve seen the reports and there are a number of concerns about
how the relationship between Russia and North Korea will develop in
the future. In particular, there is a significant concern about the
enhancement of military cooperation of the two in violation of UN
Security Council resolutions. We are closely monitoring the matter
together with the international community. The Government reiterates
that Russia has a greater responsibility as a permanent member of the
UN Security Council.
Q) Earlier, you mentioned that the meeting of the 2024 Council
on North Korean Human Rights would be held this week. Could you
confirm if this is the first time it’s being held this year, and
provide details on the agenda and topics to be discussed?
A) Yes, it would be the first meeting of the year. The discussion
will primarily focus on the policy direction and project strategies
for this year related to North Korean human rights.
Q) Is there anything that sets it apart from the content of last
year’s meeting?
A) I will check and provide information on the specific differences
in content from the previous year.
Q) Concerning the Seoul Fashion Week, I would like to know
whether designer items featuring motifs inspired by a symbol of South
Koreans abducted and detained in North Korea will be available for
sale later. If so, could you explain how the profits will be utilized?
A) There are plans to launch items featuring designs inspired by the
mentioned motifs. However, I don’t have anything to provide yet about
how the items will be sold and how the profits from the sales will be utilized.
Q) The United Nations Human Rights Council is scheduled to hold
China’s Universal Periodic Review(UPR) tomorrow at 5 P.M(KST). The
written questions submitted by the foreign ministry do not include
issues of POWs and forced repatriation of North Korean defectors. The
foreign ministry is currently considering whether to raise this issue
on the day of the review. What is the unification ministry’s stance on
this matter?
A) We will continue to monitor the situation until a final decision
is made.
Q) There was a media report that the Unification Future Planning
Committee has been considering excluding the concept of a unified
Korean nation and inter-Korean union, and this plan is expected to be
solidified after the general election in April. What is the Ministry’s
stance on this matter?
A) Although the Government is reviewing various options for
developments in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of “the Korean
National Community Unification Formula”, decisions have not been made
regarding the direction or contents on this matter. The relevant media
report about the Government finalizing a unification plan eliminating
the concept of a unified Korean nation and inter-Korean union is not
true at all.
Q) Then, can I take it as a personal opinion of a committee member?
A) I believe so.
