Date: Monday, December 27, 2021
Time: 10:45-10:52 A.M.
1. North Korea expected to hold 4th plenary meeting of the 8th Party
Central Committee this week
The North’s Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee on
December 1 adopted a resolution on convening a plenary meeting in late
December to review the implementation of major policies for 2021 and
to discuss and decide on work plans for 2022.
As of this morning, there have been no reports of the meeting or any
related developments. The meeting is generally presided by President
Kim Jong Un, and lasts for one to four days. As the North usually
reports on the meeting after it has been held, the Ministry expects to
see more details within this week.
Late this year and early next year are important times for
determining whether inter-Korean relations will head toward a phase
for peace through the restoration of dialogue and cooperation or
remain in a prolonged phase of deadlock. Based on such understanding,
the Government is closely monitoring the situation while focusing on
the North’s policy direction for the upcoming year to be announced at
the plenary meeting.
The Government has consistently expressed its willingness to improve
inter-korean realtions and settle peace on the Korean Peninsula
through dialogue and cooperation. We hope the North can begin the new
year by opening its doors to the South and the international community
and head toward a path of engagement and cooperation.
2. Ministry to hold awards ceremony for meritorious individuals
An awards ceremony for meritorious individuals that have assisted in
the settlement of North Korean defectors will be held on December 28.
Minister Lee In-young will deliver Presidential Commendations and
Prime Ministerial Medals to five individuals that have helped North
Korean defectors settle into our community and contributed in
fostering integration between defectors and local residents throughout
this year.
3. Q&A
Q. Could you explain the characteristics of the North’s plenary
meeting of the Party Central Committee? Also, does the Government
expect there to be a message directed at the South or the United States?
A. The Party Central Committee is the highest guiding organ to
supervise all party activities when the Party Congress is out of
session. The Central Committee is comprised of members elected at the
Party Congress, and the members discuss and make decisions on major
issues concerning the party including personnel matters.
As the North announced that it will review the implementation of
major policies for 2021 and to discuss and decide on 2022 work plans,
it can be assumed that the meeting will claim this year as victorious
considering its achievements especially in the fields of agriculture
and construction. Meanwhile, it will also introduce next year’s major
tasks and goals for all fields, and likely reveal its foreign policy
directions including messages directed at the South and the U.S.
As mentioned earlier, late this year and early next year are crucial
times for improving inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on
the peninsula. We hope the North will choose to take the road for
dialogue and cooperation.
Q. What efforts has the Unification Ministry made to reopen the
Gaeseong Industiral Complex (GIC)? Will there be any changes to the
GIC in the new year? What support measures has the Ministry prepared
for GIC tenant companies?
A. The leaders of the South and the North agreed through the
Pyeongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018 to normalize the GIC as
conditions ripe, and the Government remains determined to follow
through. The Government has focused on forming a consensus at home and
abroad on the reopening of the GIC, and on creating conditions for the
normalization of the GIC through the resumption of inter-korean
relations and promotion of North Korea-U.S. talks.
Meanwhile, it has also made efforts to resolve the difficulties
experienced by tenant companies considering the prolonged shutdown of
the GIC. The Government has arranged and conducted diverse damage
support measures through support funds and special loans, but
situations have worsened due to added difficulties caused by Covid-19.
Accordingly, the Government will consult with related agencies, such
as financial authorities, to expand the scope of existing damage
support measures and devise more active assistance.
