Date: Monday, May 2, 2022

Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

 

1. North Korea celebrated its Workers’ Day, “May Day”.

 

Yesterday(5.1) was International Workers’ Day.

 

North Korea refers to it as “May Day” and has been celebrating May Day as the national holiday.

 

The Rodong Sinmun and the KCNA reported today(5.2) that members of the Workers’ Party and its high-ranking officials celebrated the holiday with workers.

 

Choe Ryong Hae and Kim Tok Hun, the members of the Central Committee Political Bureau, as well as party members and ranking officials visited factories, businesses, collective farms, etc. to congratulate workers for May Day and watched sports contests and performances.

 

 

2. Q&A

 

Q. The new administration takes office next week, and the Unification minister nominee Kwon Youngse and the new head of the Office of National Security announced yesterday emphasized an equal stance on the North Korean affairs. What is the Ministry’s take on this outlook and what would be different in the future?

 

A. We continue to maintain the basic stance that the Ministry of Unification does not offer comments in detail regarding what the minister nominee said and the policy of the Presidential transition committee related to the incoming government.

 

Q. Is there any response from North Korea to the distribution of leaflets by the North Korean defector group?

 

A. So far, we have not been able to confirm that there has been a specific reaction from the North. The police and relevant agencies are currently conducting an investigation into the distribution of the leaflets by the Fighters for a Free North Korea.

 

Q. Recently Kim Kye Gwan, the former First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made appearances in the media. Could you provide more details whether he regained his official title or there are unusual developments?

 

A. Over the past weekend, KCTV reported the event in North Korea, and a figure assumed to be the former First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Kye Gwan appeared on the screen. The Ministry is conducting a comprehensive analysis related to the possibility that this individual may be Kim Kye Gwan in cooperation with relevant agencies.

 

Q. Do you think that recent appearances of key individuals in North Korea including Kim Kye Gwan are giving signals in North Korea’s policy change?

 

A. At this point, we do not have information specifically to provide, but we will keep looking into any further developments.