Date: Monday, September 5, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.

 

1. Ministry to urge North Korea again to give a prior notice before discharging water

In consideration of the expected damage from Typhoon Hinnamnor, the Ministry of Unification attempted to send a document under the name of the Minister of Unification during the daily routine call through the South-North Joint Liaison Office at 9 A.M. today to urge North Korea again to notify the South in advance when discharging water from its dams in the shared rivers.

However, North Korea did not provide a clear response to receive the document and ended the call.

The document states that the South is doing its utmost for disaster preparedness and the North seems to be making every effort to prevent damage, thereby once again urges the North to notify the South in advance of discharging water from its dams as the release of large amount of water without any prior notice creates a risk of further damage to the South. Furthermore, the document looks forward to seeing the two Koreas overcome this current crisis through mutual cooperation.

Taking into account that North Korea is yet to receive the document, the Unification Ministry once again officially urges the North to notify the South in advance of the water discharge.

The Government is closely monitoring the North’s rainfall and discharge conditions through close cooperation between relevant agencies, and will do its best to safeguard the people and their property by making every effort to manage our waters.

 

2. Schedules on the occasion of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)

On September 7, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse will visit the elderly separated family members living in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On September 8, Minister Kwon will attend an event for separated families and deliver a speech to provide words of condolences.

On Chuseok, September 10, Vice Minister Kim Ki Woong will attend an event to console separated families and displaced people and deliver a speech at Mangbaedan Memorial Altar at Imjingak in Paju.

On the same day, he will attend the opening ceremony of a special exhibition held at the National Museum for Abductees During the Korean War.

 

3. Other schedules

Minister Kwon is attending the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts from 10 A.M. today.

On September 6, Minister Kwon will attend a symposium on unification hosted by the Central Association for National Unification of Korea and deliver congratulatory remarks 1:30 P.M. at the Press Center.

On September 8, Vice Minister Kim Ki Woong will visit traditional markets and social welfare facilities in Jongno-gu, Seoul to send words of encouragement.

 

4. Q&A

Q. There were several reports on food assistance from Vietnam and India to North Korea. Do you have any updates whether North Korea requested for food aid to other countries like China or Russia?

A. The Ministry is aware of the reports, but at this point, we do not have additional information to confirm.