Date: Monday, December 13, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:38 A.M.
1. In commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement
Today marks the 30th anniversary since the Inter-Korean Basic
Agreement was signed in 1991. The Basic Agreement, which lays the
foundation for the development of inter-Korean relations and
settlement of peaceful unification, holds great historical
significance. It was the first agreement between the South and the
North to acknowledge one another as a partner in achieving peaceful
coexistence and common prosperity, and to comprehensively define ways
to reconcile, pursue mutual nonaggression and explore exchange and cooperation.
The Government confirms that the historical meaning and spirit of
the Basic Agreement still stands valid to this day. It will seek to
improve inter-Korean relations and achieve peace on the Korean
Peninsula by respecting and implementing agreements made between the
two Koreas, including the Basic Agreement of 1991.
The Ministry will be sponsoring an academic seminar commemorating
the 30th anniversary, co-hosted by the Korea Peace Forum and the East
Asia Culture Center. Unification Minister Lee In-young will attend the
event and deliver congratulatory remarks on December 13.
2. National Memorial for Abductees during the Korean War launches
its 2021 special exhibit
The National Memorial for Abductees during the Korean War will be
opening its 2021 special exhibit on December 15. Since its
establishment in 2017, the memorial hall has organized special
exhibits in an effort to help the general public understand the
history of North Korean abductions and remember the pain caused by
war. This year’s exhibition theme is “Art, go through war.”
The exhibition will display a total of 136 pieces of paintings,
films and music created by artists in times before and after Korea’s
liberation and the Korean War.
The National Memorial for Abductees during the Korean War is a
facility that requires a “quarantine pass.” The Ministry will consider
the safety of the people as top priority while carrying out the
exhibition. A virtual reality video of the exhibition will also be
available online for those who are interested.
3. Gaeseong Industrial Complex companies to participate in product
display exhibition
Lawmakers will be hosting a product display exhibition for the
Gaeseong Industrial Complex tenant companies from December 16 to 17.
The annual exhibit, dating back to 2006, is held as part of efforts to
support companies that have experienced difficulties following the
shutdown of the complex. Twelve tenant companies will promote and sell
their products at the upcoming exhibit, which will include clothes,
food and face masks.
4. Amendment to the Rules on Humanitarian Assistance and Cooperation
Programs for North Korea
The Ministry of Unification will be pre-announcing the amendment to
the Rules on Humanitarian Assistance and Cooperation Programs for
North Korea for 20 days starting today.
The amendment specifies that regulations related to local
governments be enforced by the local government head or the
superintendent of education, and stipulates the conditions for
utilizing the inter-Korean cooperation fund for local government
projects. It also provides the grounds for issuing multiple-visit
certificates to operators of aid programs for North Korea, and
clarifies the standard and procedure in making public aid projects.
The final amendment will be issued in January after collecting
public opinion.
5. Q&A
Q. The Biden administration has imposed its first new sanctions on
North Korea over human rights issues. What is the Ministry’s position
regarding this development?
A. The Ministry is not in the position to comment on a measure the
U.S. government has taken based on its own laws. However, the Ministry
has consistently made efforts to promote North Korean human rights,
improve inter-Korean relations and establish peace in a balanced
manner, while also stably managing the situation on the Korean
Peninsula. The Government will continue to cooperate with the
international community, including the United States, while seeking to
create an opportunity for inter-Korean cooperation.
Q. President Moon Jae-in stated that the U.S., China and North
Korean have agreed in principle to declaring a formal end to the
Korean War. Has the North actually expressed a positive response?
A. The end-of-war declaration is a useful measure that serves as an
important momentum in promoting denuclearization negotiations and
advancing the Korean peace process. With such an understanding, the
Government has been in close consultation with the United States and
other related countries regarding this issue.
The two Koreas have a record of agreeing to pursue the end-of-war
declaration in the October 4 Declaration of 2007 and in the Panmunjom
Declaration of 2018. In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and
Vice Department Director Kim Yo Jong themselves expressed interest in
the declaration.
As there is an agreement among related countries on the necessity of
the declaration, the Government seeks to start dialogue among related
countries at the earliest possible date to bridge the gap between any
discrepancies such as the preconditions established by the North.
