Date: Monday, March 21, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Ministry to set up information center on unification
The unification ministry will build a database center on unification in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province by 2025.
The Ministry first opened the Information Center on North Korea in 1989, and has been providing books, digital and video archives on unification and North Korea to the public. However, over the years a number of issues have been insistently raised including a lack of space with the increasing number of books at the center.
Accordingly, the Ministry decided to expand and relocate the place by building a library specialized in unification and North Korea. The facility will serve multiple functions, such as collecting, storing, and displaying historical archives, and providing a space for activities related to North Korea and unification.
The Ministry will strive to make the library a hub for North Korean research and planning for Korean unification.
2. Q&A
Q. Do you have any comment on North Korea firing multiple rocket launchers toward the West Sea yesterday(3.20)? Do you see this as a violation of the September 19 Military Agreement?
A. The ROK military confirmed the North firing short-range projectiles presumed to be multiple rocket launchers into the West Sea yesterday morning. Following the launch, the Government convened an emergency vice-ministerial meeting and stated that it will raise awareness and keep a close eye on North Korea’s recent series of missile launches, and maintain a firm defense readiness posture to prevent from creating a security vacuum in the midst of a change of government.Upholding the position announced by the National Security Council, the unification ministry, together with relevant agencies and countries concerned, will manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula peacefully and stably while thoroughly preparing for all possibilities. As for the nature and implications of the launch, an in-depth analysis of the specifications of the projectiles is currently underway in cooperation with the U.S. The Ministry will make an evaluation based on the analysis. Lastly, the Ministry urges the North to immediately stop unilaterally creating tension that runs contrary to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and return to the path of dialogue and cooperation as proposed by the South and the international community.
Q. What do you think is the reason behind the North Korean propaganda media’s increased frequency and level of criticism against the South?
A. The Government is closely monitoring the North Korean propaganda media’s increased frequency and level of criticism against the South on a number of security matters including ROKG’s statement regarding North Korea’s consecutive missile launches. As the Government holds a stance that it does not comment on unilateral claims of North Korean propaganda media, it will not directly comment or make a statement about the intentions of recent criticism toward the South. However, North Korea should recognize that mutual respect is a matter that has been agreed upon a number of times between the South and the North, and is the basic foundation for the advancement of inter-Korean relations.
Q. What is the situation with regard to establishing a base office of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association with China placing stringent lockdown under its zero-Covid policy?
A. The Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association is in the process of establishing a base office in the border area between North Korea and China to support inter-Korean exchange and cooperation promoted by domestic companies and organizations in China and overseas, and alleviate difficulties while pursuing business.The base office is making preparations to open this year, and the specific time of its opening, size of the office, and method of operation will be determined by thoroughly considering the local conditions including the spread of Covid-19, quarantine measures, and developments in the border area between North Korea and China.
