Date: Monday, September 4, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:33 A.M.

1. Minister’s Schedule

From 10 A.M. today, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho is attending the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts for non-economic ministries to examine next year’s budget bills.

On September 5, Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting at 10 A.M. and the National Assembly’s interpellation session on political sectors at 2 P.M.

On September 6, Minister Kim will attend the National Assembly’s interpellation session on foreign affairs, unification, and security sectors at 2 P.M.

On September 8, Minister Kim will attend the opening ceremony of the Unification Plus(+) Center in Mokpo City which will cover the southwestern region of Korea. Minister Kim will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Governor Kim Yung-rok of Jeollanam-do province regarding the operation of the center. After delivering congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony, the Minister will invite and meet with North Korean defectors living in Mokpo City.

2. Q&A

Q) What is the Ministry of Unification's position on lawmaker Yoon Meehyang’s participation in an event organized by Chongryon, the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan?

A) The Government maintains its basic stance that it pursues establishing a system of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation in accordance with laws and principles. This matter will also be reviewed in this manner.

Q) Could you confirm a report that the Unification Ministry is creating brand identity (BI) and slogans related to abductees and detainees? If so, could you also confirm if it includes POWs, and when you plan to announce the results?

R) The Ministry has been conducting relevant research projects on the issue of abductees and detainees, recognizing the need for expressing the Government's determination to resolve the issue and spread the public consensus. As further procedures of collecting opinions and reassessment are required, we are not in a position to finalize a specific symbol at this time. Whether or not to include content related to POWs will also be discussed during this review process.

Q) Does this mean that there is a possibility that POWs will be included?

A) There is nothing we can confirm at this moment.