1. Unification Ministry designates week for promoting inter-Korean integration through cultural events

 

The Ministry of Unification will be designating this week, from October 25 to 30, as a week for promoting inter-Korean integration through cultural events and introducing various projects taken part by North Korean defectors and local residents. The Ministry will be running a wide range of programs through the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center, including joint art performances, presentations and kimchi sharing volunteer work.

 

The Unification Ministry anticipates this week to provide more opportunities for communication and harmony among North Korean defectors and local South Korean residents, and to spread an integrated culture in which the people of the South and the North prepare for peace and unification together.

 

2. Other Schedule

 

Unification Minister Lee In-young will deliver congratulatory video remarks at the 7th Pan Yellow Sea Forum held by Chungcheongnam-do, and at a seminar on inter-Korean cooperation in response to climate crisis on the Korean Peninsula held by the Korea Meteorological Administration on October 26 and 27 respectively.

 

Minister Lee will also deliver congratulatory video remarks at a talk concert on peace and unification among those in their 20s and 30s (P-UZY) on October 30. Vice Minister Choi Young Joon, composer Youn Sang and television personality Sam Hammington will take part in this event, and participants will discuss virtual travel tours to the North.

 

3. Q&A (Partial)

 

Q. Please evaluate the meaning of the President's visit to the Vatican, accompanied by the Unification Minister.

 

A. The Government hopes the President’s visit to the Vatican be an opportunity for President Moon and the Pope, who has expressed deep interest in issues on the peninsula, to talk broadly about the peace process and share wisdom to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

 

As a dignitary in charge of inter-Korean relations, Minister Lee In-young will support the upcoming visit as an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation on the peninsula, and piece together the results of this visit with improving inter-Korean relations and establishing peace.

 

Q. Does the Ministry have plans to request the Pope visit the North at an early date?

 

A. We expect there will be extensive dialogue on the Korean peace process during this visit to the Vatican. The Government believes that the Pope’s visit to North Korea will contribute greatly to the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, and has maintained its position to support the visit if related discussion progress. The Ministry will continue to make efforts based on this position.

 

Q. Is there a separate schedule the Ministry will be pursuing in Europe?

 

A. Related negotiations are currently underway. We will let you know as soon as it is confirmed.

 

Q. Does the Ministry have plans to propose anything to the North through the South-North joint liaison office?

 

A. The Government, while stably operating the inter-Korean communications line, has been making efforts to resume dialogue with the North to discuss various pending issues. For this to be possible, establishing a foundation for stable dialogue even under Covid-19 is of priority, and the Government has accordingly proposed the idea of setting up a video conference system between the South and the North back in late July. The Government has been making other necessary preparations to resume dialogue, such as reviewing key agenda for consultation between the two Koreas.

 

We hope the North will respond to our proposal as soon as possible, making it possible to proceed discussions on pending issues between the two Koreas.

 

Q. Is the Unification Ministry arranging for any consultations with the U.S.?

 

A. The ROK and U.S. is pursuing a fully coordinated North Korea policy, and have been closely discussing various ways to engage with the North including through humanitarian cooperation and trust building measures. The Unification Ministry has been communicating with the U.S. through various channels and opportunities, while also consulting with related departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will continue to pursue such efforts.