Date: Monday, May 9, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

 

1. Regarding North Korea’s ballistic missile test

 

North Korea tested a ballistic missile on May 4, followed by a short-range ballistic missile presumed to have been launched from a submarine on May 7.

 

Meanwhile, North Korea has not released any related reports regarding these two missile test launches as of today.

 

Looking into past cases, North Korea usually disclosed the missile launch through its state media the day after a major missile test.

 

However, there was a case that the North released the two missile tests altogether in late-January without reporting immediately after each test, and another case that they did not release any report at all related to the missile test in mid-March.

 

There may be various speculations as to the background of the North’s silence on reporting the test launch, however, at the current moment, the Ministry will closely monitor the situation and conduct a comprehensive analysis and evaluation with various possibilities in mind.

 

What is important is that the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is contrary to the international community's demands for peace and stability.

 

The Government strongly condemns North Korea's actions, and repeatedly urges North Korea to immediately stop all actions that escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, in the region and in the international community, and to return to the table of dialogue and negotiations at the earliest possible date.

 

2. Weekly Schedule

 

Celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center on Friday May 13, the Ministry is promoting inter-Korean integration through cultural events from May 9 to 14.

 

Various performances and programs will be held for local residents and North Korean defectors to broaden mutual understanding and provide opportunities to experience peace and unification.

 

With the start of the event, the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center plans to lift some restrictions on facility use due to Covid-19 and fully open it to the public.

 

We look forward to the interest and participation of many at the event.

 

3. Q&A

 

Q. Tomorrow President Moon Jae-in is leaving the office. What would be the evaluation of the North Korea policy and inter-Korean relations of the Moon administration?

 

A. Through the agreements by the leaders, South and North Korea agreed on a common goal of realizing complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and agreed to pursue complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

 

 In the meantime, the Government has made consistent efforts to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the establishment of lasting peace, and the development of inter-Korean relations through dialogue and cooperation while respecting the existing agreements.

 

Q. First of all, in regards to the US mentioning the possibility of North Korea’s 7th nuclear test in the middle of this month, are there any developments related to the North’s nuclear test that the Ministry is aware of?

 

 Second, there was a report that North Korea operated facilities without permission in relation to the fire that occurred at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex(GIC). Can the Ministry confirm this report?

 

A. With regard to the first question, the ROK and US intelligence authorities are in close cooperation to thoroughly monitor and track situations in North Korea's major facilities and regions, including preparations for nuclear tests in Punggye-ri. The Government is maintaining a firm readiness posture for all possibilities based on close ROK-U.S. cooperation. However, the Ministry does not have any additional information on further details.

 

 North Korea's nuclear-related activities are in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and pose serious threats to the Korean Peninsula and the international community. The Government repeatedly urges North Korea to immediately stop all related activities and come to the table for dialogue and negotiations.

 

 Regarding the second question, the Government has been closely monitoring North Korea's situation through various channels, and has recently caught unknown vehicle movements in the Gaeseong Industrial District. On April 26, last month, the Government requested the North to confirm the relevant information through the South-North Joint Liaison Office, but the North has yet to provide a specific response.

 

 The Government is in the position that all issues related to the Gaeseong Industrial District should be resolved through inter-Korean consultations, and plans to review countermeasures while closely sharing the related matters with the GIC tenant companies.