Unification Spokesperson Statement
January 6, 2015
This year is a historic year commemorating the 70th anniversary of the national independence as well as national division of the Korean peninsula.
- Today President Park Geun-hye has stated that what is important at this moment is for North Korea to show sincerity towards improving inter-Korean relations and implement its commitment through actions.
- It is necessary for South and North Korea to hold dialogue with sincerity in order to overcome the pain incurred by the national division and open an era of unification.
Particularly, relieving the sorrow of the elderly separated families is not only a national responsibility, but also the most important and urgent matter that South and North Korea need to settle together.
- Over the past 70 years of the national division, many separated families had passed away without having a chance to confirm the fates and whereabouts of their families, let alone having the opportunity to meet their families.
- In the year 2014 alone, 3 thousand separated families had passed away and there is not much time left for the South and the North to settle this issue.
South and North Korea need to solve a wide range of issues to sustain peace and promote unification. This starts with South and North Korea solving issues of the separated families fundamentally.
In accordance with this purpose, the R.O.K. government has proposed to hold inter-Korean dialogue promptly regardless of the dialogue level or formality.
If the North truly wants to improve inter-Korean relations, it must show its commitment through action by responding to our proposal and hold inter-Korean dialogue.
