Date: Monday, April 24, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:33 A.M.

1. Ministry to hold a panel discussion on North Korean human rights

Today at 1:30 P.M., Unification Minister Kwon Youngse will deliver opening remarks at a panel discussion co-hosted by the Unification Ministry and lawmakers Thae Yong-ho and Kim Seokki on human rights in North Korea.

Open for all participants, the panel discussion will explore the significance of the documentation of human rights in North Korea and the role of the private, public, and international community in raising awareness on human rights in North Korea.

We anticipate that this event will be an opportunity to gather the opinions of experts at home and abroad and boost all-embracing cooperation on human rights in North Korea. The Ministry will make every effort to disclose the actual human rights situation in North Korea and to raise awareness further.

2. Q&A

Q) In response to North Korea’s unauthorized operation of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, does the Ministry plan to pursue legal action through the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Gaeseong Industrial District Foundation?

A) We are considering various measures to hold North Korea accountable for its illegal operation of the GIC.

Q) It has been pointed out that taking legal action directly against North Korea is ineffective. Do you have any plans to raise this issue to the international public to hold the North accountable?

A) Let me say we are looking into every measures at this point. However, we are aware that ever since Kim Jong Un took power, North Korea has designated more than 20 special economic zones, mostly trade and tourism zones. Surely North Korea understands that trade and cooperation with other countries is fundamental for economic development. We hope that North Korea will recognize the consequences of not protecting the foundation of international trade and cooperation.

Q) There were reports that Director of the Academy of Defense Science Jang Chang Ha might be the head of the General Missile Bureau for his order of the Hwasong-18 missile launch. How does the Ministry analyze this view?

A) Since the flag was first identified at an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission in February, the General Missile Bureau has continued to reappear in the North Korean media. However, as there has been no official confirmation from North Korea as to who is in charge of the Bureau, we will continue to monitor related developments in the North.