Date: Monday, July 11, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:38 A.M.

 

1. Regarding the Ministry’s Stance on North Korea’s infringement of South Korean Assets

 

North Korea has continued to infringe on the assets of the South in addition to the dismantlement of the tour facilities in the Mount Geumgang area since March this year. Unauthorized operation of a vehicle in Gaeseong city presumed to be a commuter bus from the Gaeseong Industrial Complex was spotted through a North Korean broadcast last week.

 

The ROK Government has been constantly monitoring the situation of North Korea’s removing and using South Korean facilities of Mt. Geumgang and the Gaeseong Industrial Complex without any notice.

 

The ROK Government expresses deep regret over North Korea’s such action, which is a clear violation of inter-Korean agreement, and an infringement of the South Korean nationals’ property rights.

 

The Government urges the North to immediately stop all such actions and makes it clear that all responsibility in this regard rests entirely with North Korea.

 

2. Ministry to hold an education program to expand the inter-Korean Green Détente plan.

 

The Unification Ministry is holding an education program for NGOs and private organizations that seek to help North Korea to promote international cooperation on environment under the framework of ‘Green Détente.’

 

The program will be held for three days from July 13 to 15, addressing North Korea’s climate crisis and the possibility of international cooperation on the inter-Korean Green Détente.

 

3. Minister’s schedule

 

On July 13, Minister Kwon Youngse will attend the opening ceremony of the “2022 Asian Leadership Conference” hosted by the Chosun Ilbo in the morning, and attend an academic conference that will explore the situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss new North Korea policy to deliver congratulatory remarks in the afternoon.

 

On July 14, the Minister will meet with Executive Director David Beasley of the World Food Programme.

 

4. Q&A

 

Q. The Government and the ruling party continue to point out that there was a problem regarding the repatriation of the two North Korean fishermen in November 2019. How does the Ministry see this?

 

A. The issue related to the repatriation of the two North Korean residents is currently under investigation by relevant agencies. Therefore, we would like to ask for your understanding that it is not appropriate to specifically comment on the matter at the Ministry’s level.

 

However, the Unification Ministry holds the position that there is a clear problem with sending them back to North Korea, considering that the defected North Koreans are acknowledged as South Korean citizens under the Constitution and the various hardships they would face if they were handed over to North Korea.

 

Q. At the time, the Government and the Unification Ministry claimed that the North Koreans were deported because they had committed heinous crimes and were not eligible for protection under the ‘North Korean Refugee Protection and Settlement Support Act.’ And today you just mentioned that the North Koreans are citizens of South Korea. If the two North Koreans were heinous criminals, shouldn't they have been tried within the Korean judicial system because they are Korean citizens?

 

A. As mentioned previously, it is difficult for the Ministry to confirm the details as the relevant agencies are currently investigating the specific matters.

 

Q. Three years ago, the then spokesperson of the Unification Ministry explained the results of the joint investigation at a briefing and officially stated, “the investigation revealed that the North Koreans killed 16 fellow crew members and fled to South Korea.” Does the Ministry hold the same position that the two North Koreans who showed their intention to defect to South Korea had killed their fellow fishermen?

 

A. It is true that the Ministry held a press briefing at the time. Immediately after the decision to jointly investigate and send the two North Koreans, the Ministry was requested to hold a press briefing by the Office of National Security, and the briefing was conducted afterwards.

 

Q. Do you still hold the same stance?

 

A. Please refer to the report that the Ministry made to the National Assembly in November 2019.

 

Q. What is the Ministry's understanding with respect to the intention of the two North Koreans to defect to South Korea? Do you think there might be a possibility that the South repatriated the two regardless of their intention to defect to South Korea?

 

A. Regarding their repatriation to the North, it is difficult to offer detailed comments as this case is currently under investigation.

 

However, when the report was made to the National Assembly in November 2019, the Ministry submitted a written report that contained the intent to request for the protection of the two North Koreans.