Date: Monday, November 29, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.
1. Unification Ministry continues efforts to promote peace on the
Korean Peninsula
The Ministry of Unification believes that in order to advance the
Korean peace process, it needs to enhance the international
community’s understanding of inter-Korean relations and peace on the
Korean Peninsula. In this respect, the Ministry has made efforts to
promote cooperation in both the public and private sectors.
The Ministry has expanded policy consultations at all levels with
key governments including the United States. It has also worked to
spread international interest on Korean Peninsula issues at the
private level, holding the Korea Global Forum for Peace and appointing
Goodwill Ambassadors for Peace on the Korean Peninsula.
On a similar note, Minister Lee In-young will be attending the
commencement ceremony for the Peace and Public Diplomacy Corps 2021 on
December 1. Minister Lee will encourage the 32 participants and
deliver awards to exemplary members. The Peace and Public Diplomacy
Corps is a youth public diplomacy organization composed mostly of
those in their 20s and 30s. As the official sponsor, the Unification
Ministry has supported various public diplomacy activities since July
of last year.
2. Panmunjeom tours to resume
As announced, Panmunjeom tours will resume starting tomorrow. Twenty
visitors will be admitted each day, with tours arranged on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. With the public’s heightened
interest in the Panmunjeom tours following its four-month hiatus,
December tour schedules are now fully booked. Reservations for January
will start on December 10.
3. Other schedules
On December 2, Minister Lee will attend an event held by the Korean
Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation. Minister Lee will also be
delivering congratulatory video remarks at the 2021 Water-Detente
Conference on November 30.
Vice Minister Choi Young Joon will deliver congratulatory remarks at
an academic seminar commemorating 30 years since signing the
Inter-Korean Basic Agreement on December 3.
4. Q&A
Q. North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun reported yesterday on the new
coronavirus variant Omicron. What is the Ministry’s understanding of
the North’s response measures regarding Omicron? Also, will this new
variant affect plans to ease border control between North Korea and China?
A. Since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year, North Korea has
been reporting on the latest updates with regards to Covid-19 through
various media outlets in a relatively quick manner. While reporting on
the spread of the virus and outbreaks of new variants around the
world, the North also made sure to encourage its people to strengthen
prevention and control measures.
On November 27, North Korean state media introduced the outbreak of
Omicron, noted its latest developments, and elaborated on response
efforts by the international community and WHO. Media reports also
emphasized that the public should carry out prevention and control
efforts as the most important task. However, as North Korea has
already been enforcing stringent preventative efforts by declaring
“top-class emergency anti-epidemic measures” and closing its borders,
no additional measures have been observed to counter the Omicron variant.
In addition, lifting border control is a matter to be decided
through a comprehensive assesment of various factors including North
Korea-China consultations, maintenance conditions of quarantine
facilities, and the spread of Covid-19. It is difficult to
conclusively claim that Omicron will have any impact on the decision
making process. The Ministry will closely monitor the situation.
Q. Today is Rocket Industry Day in the North. Is the Ministry aware
of any signs that may suggest the North is preparing for a missile
test or any other activities?
A. Calendars published by the North mark November 29 as “Rocket
Industry Day,” but the North is yet to officially mention or
commemorate the occasion. While the state media has remained silent,
propaganda outlets have been commemorating November 29 as the launch
date for Hwasong-15 and publishing reports recalling its achievements.
There is nothing specific the Ministry can confirm regarding North
Korea’s military developments. We will keep a watch out for activities
related to the North’s “Rocket Industry Day.”