Date: Monday, April 18, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

 

1. Regarding North Korea’s missile launch

 

North Korean state media reported yesterday that President Kim Jong Un observed the test-fire of a new-type tactical guided weapon.

 

The ROK Government discussed North Korea’s military activities and future response through an emergency National Security Council (NSC) session chaired by the first deputy director of the National Security Office on the 16th, as well as an NSC session presided by the director of national security yesterday.

 

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in directed related ministries to exhaustively monitor the North’s movements while thoroughly managing the situation. Accordingly, the Ministry of Unification is closely watching the North and making utmost efforts to manage the situation.

We urge the North to immediately suspend acts that create tension on the Korean Peninsula and cause regional instability, and return to dialogue for peace at the earliest possible date.

 

2. Q&A

 

Q. Does the Ministry have plans to hold talks with Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim during his visit to Seoul?

 

A. We are aware that U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim is in Seoul until the 22nd, but a possible visit to the Unification Ministry as well as talks with officials is currently under discussion. We will let you know once a specific schedule is confirmed.

 

Q. There have been reports suggesting that a new figure has been accompanying President Kim Jong Un on his public activities and seems to be in charge of protocol. Does the Ministry have any information regarding such observations?

 

A. The Ministry is aware of such reports, but does not have information to specifically identify this individual. We will closely monitor this person’s activities with interest.

 

Q. Did the calls through the South-North Joint Liaison Office go as usual? Has the North responded to the South’s proposals regarding Mount Geumgang facilities?

 

A. Since the restoration of inter-Korean communications channels last October, the South and the North are making daily routine calls twice a day, at 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. Today’s 9 A.M. call went through as usual.

 

However, the North is yet to provide a response concerning the removal of facilities at Mt. Geumgang. We once again urge the North to provide a thorough explanation about the dismantlement of Mt. Geumgang facilities and respond to the request for consultations at the earliest possible date.

 

Q. Observers say the North’s new type of tactical guided weapon launched on April 16 is designed to deliver tactical nuclear weapons to the South. How does the Ministry evaluate such assessments?

 

A. The ROK military detected the North’s launch of two projectiles from Hamheung area toward the East Sea at around 6 P.M. on April 16. Intelligence authorities of the South and the U.S. are currently conducting a thorough analysis of the launch details. With a detailed analysis of the nature, implications, and evaluation of the launch currently underway through ROK-U.S. cooperation, we will closely monitor related developments.