Date: Monday, June 20, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.

 

1. Unification Minister to visit leaders of religious groups of KCRP

 

Unification Minister Kwon Youngse will pay a courtesy visit to leaders of the seven religious organizations that constitute the Korean Conference of Religious for Peace(KCRP) and share opinions on the prospects of the new Government's North Korea policy.

 

The Minister will visit Archbishop Kim Hee-joong of the Catholic Church of Korea on Tuesday June 21, Rev. Lee Hong-jung, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea(NCCK) on Wednesday June 22, and Ven. Wonhaeng, the President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Thursday June 23.

 

2. Other schedule

 

On June 24, Minister Kwon will deliver a keynote address at the ‘2022 Korean Peninsula Peace Symposium’, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Unification and Yonhap News Agency.

 

3. Q&A

 

Q. Apart from the recent IAEA analysis, has there been any additional evidence of the possibility of North Korea's serial nuclear tests?
What aspects are the intelligence authorities paying particular attention to that will affect North Korea's nuclear test at this stage?

 

A. Regarding the North’s preparations for nuclear test, the ROK and US intelligence authorities are in close cooperation in monitoring developments in North Korea’s major facilities and regions, thereby maintaining a firm readiness posture for all possibilities.

 

Since further details would fall under specific military matters, the Ministry does not have extra information to offer.

 

Q. Aside from the military situation, various weather conditions in North Korea are changing. Do you think such phenomenon as the early rainy season would have an impact on the North’s nuclear test?

 

A. Respectfully, I am afraid to say that there is nothing the Unification Ministry can confirm since the matter is related to technical factors that can influence North Korea’s decision to pursue nuclear tests.

 

Q. Recently, various difficulties have been aggravated in North Korea with the outbreak of Covid-19, the spread of an acute infectious intestinal disease, and the abnormal weather conditions. Are there any signs that the food shortage is getting worse in some regions of North Korea?

 

A. We have a fairly low level of precipitation compared to previous years, and North Korea is likely to be in a similar condition as the climate difference is not large.

 

Regarding the food situation in North Korea, its food shortage is a chronic and structural problem, estimated to be around 800,000 tons. Imports of grain and agricultural materials have been reduced due to the continuous external lockdown. Also, natural disasters such as drought are also important factors affecting the North’s food shortage.

 

Meanwhile, as the North’s grain harvest in June is still in progress, the Ministry will closely observe and analyze the status of food shortage in North Korea through close coordination with relevant organizations.