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Briefing by Minister of Unification to the International Press (Sept. 3, 11:00)

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Briefing by Minister of Unification to the International Press (Sept

Briefing by Minister of Unification to the International Press (Sept. 3, 11:00)

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Minister of Unification Lee Jae-joung

Opening Remarks

< Greetings >

* Ladies and gentlemen of the international press, it is pleasure to meet you again. It's been about three months since our luncheon in June at the Press Club.

* As the head of the planning team for the inter-Korean summit meeting, it gives me great pleasure to brief you on the details of our preparation work.

* We certainly hope that the summit will be successful, and we seek support and cooperation from the international community. In this regard, I must ask for your interest and cooperation in this very important endeavor.

* Let me begin with the direction we are headed in terms of this summit and explain some details of the preparation work that took place.

Meaning and Direction of Inter-Korean Summit Meeting

In this summit meeting, the two leaders will discuss a broad range of issues, including the North Korean nuclear issue and issues pertaining to the inter-Korean relations, in a comprehensive manner based on the three agreed agendas, which are: peace on the Korean Peninsula, co-prosperity of the two Koreas and reconciliation and unification.

 

1. First, we will prepare for the summit so that the resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue can be promoted in harmony with the development in inter-Korean relations, in order that they can reinforce the efforts of the Six-Party process.

* More than anything else, we plan to solidify the positive cycle of inter-Korean development and the resolution to the nuclear issue, so as to speed up the process of resolving the nuclear issue.

* The summit meeting is taking place at a time when the Six-Party process is moving forward from the initial stages of implementing the Joint Statement of September 19th and the February 13th Agreement to the next stage.

* The nuclear issue is something that needs to be discussed and resolved through the Six-Party process. To see progress on the issue, it needs to be supported by stable inter-Korean relations.

* In this respect, we expect that the summit talks will contribute greatly to resolving the nuclear issue.

2. Secondly, the summit will be an important turning point in bringing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and co-prosperity of the two Koreas.

* It can be said that the first summit, seven years ago, contributed toward building a relationship of mutual trust by removing the distrust and hostility between the two Koreas.

* In this summit, the two leaders will discuss issues related to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Such discussions will help to solidify mutual confidence and help to bring peace, stability and co-prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

* Moreover, we expect that the summit would provide a turning point for inter-Korean economic cooperation.

* We hope that economic cooperation will develop into a mutually supporting relationship where there can be continuous investment and cooperation based on economic principles.

* We will try to foster a condition where South Korean businesses can invest in the North according to market conditions and promote their businesses based on economic principles.

* In the long term, we hope to build a relationship of coexistence where the South Korean investment can bring about economic development in North Korea, and have that development provide a new thrust for the economic growth in South Korea.

* Thus, we will engage in a productive dialogue to seek ways for cooperation and identify areas of cooperation where the two sides can mutually benefit.

* Through such discussions we hope to promote and establish confidence between the two Koreas, and as seen in the case of Gaeseong Industrial Complex project, we will gradually remove factors that cause instability, so that such efforts can propel peace on the Korean Peninsula.

3. Third, as we actively seek harmony with changes in international circumstances, this summit will be an opportunity to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and contribute to world peace and economic development.

* Peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula will serve as a stepping stone for the nations of the region to cooperate and open the era of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

* Continuation of the Cold-War structure on the Korean Peninsula can only be an obstacle that stands in the way of regional security and economic cooperation.

* Establishment of peace and stability based on inter-Korean confidence will greatly contribute to the Six-Party process of sharing a common vision for security cooperation and implementing specific measures to this end.

* The "Busan Roadmap," agreed at the APEC summit in 2005, has as its goal to promote continued growth and prosperity of the region through establishing free trade among nations of the region by year 2020.

* The inter-Korean summit this time can serve to provide a link to connect the dreams of the regional nations to form a community of peace and prosperity.

* By firmly establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and removing factors that cause regional instability, we hope to do our part in contributing to the world peace, and in this regard, we ask for your understanding and support.

Preparation for the Inter-Korean Summit

* The inter-Korean summit is only a month ahead. Since the announcement on August 8, we have formed a promotion committee and a preparation planning team and held inter-agency meetings on weekly basis to discuss various preparatory measures and to check their implementation.

* Also, we are gathering opinions of Korean people at large as, well as opinions from different sects of our society, and we are closely coordinating the opinions on various agendas from the relevant ministries.

* We held preparation meeting with the North on August 14th, and held working-level contacts on various areas on August 14th and 16th.

* Currently, we are continuing working-level discussions on various areas, including security, protocol, communication and press, through liaison contacts and exchanges of documents in Panumjom.

* As agreed in the preparation meeting, the advance team will be dispatched seven days prior to the summit, around September 25th.

* For the dispatch of the advance team, we are currently checking the issues that need to be dealt by the team, as well as supplies and equipments needed for the dispatch.

* The presidential entourage will consist of 200 in total, including official, special and general attendants, and the press.

* The selection process for the attendants will be finalized through consultation in the promotion committee and the preparation team.

* In selecting special attendants, we are considering those who can actually advise the president and contribute to the overall meaning of the inter-Korean summit, which is peace and co-prosperity.

* In year 2000, there were 24 special attendants, but this time, we are considering a larger group consisting of people from various sects of society while seeking balance among them.

* The number of special attendants has not been finalized yet. We hope to bring you the number as soon as it is finalized.

* Also, as part of our preparation, we are closely consulting with the related nations.

* All related nations have expressed welcome and support for the summit meeting, and on several occasions we have explained our preparation efforts to the US and other nations.

* We will continue to exchange views on important issues with the international community through official diplomatic channels and seek necessary cooperation.

Closing

* This summit will serve to promote progress in Six-Party Talks and working-level meetings within the Six-Party process so that the resolution to the nuclear issue and the progress in inter-Korean relations can reinforce each other in a positive cycle.

* The summit will add to the accomplishment of the current administration and take the inter-Korean relations to a higher level by helping to hold inter-Korean summit on regular basis and by providing a firm basis upon which the next administration can continue the policy of reconciliation and cooperation.

* I would like to express my appreciation to the international community including the international press for giving us your support in our preparation for the inter-Korean summit meeting, and we ask for your continued interest. Thank you. /End/

Written by Pak Won-jae, Public Information Support Team of MOU

Translated by Kim Hyun-du, International Cooperation Team of MOU

Photo by The Associated Press