Date: Monday, September 18, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

 

1. Regarding the 20th North Korea Freedom Week

From September 17- September 23, the 20th North Korea Freedom Week will be held by North Korean human rights organizations from Korea, the US, and Japan.

Due to his schedule at the National Assembly, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho’s congratulatory remarks will be delivered by the Deputy Minister for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs on his behalf at the opening ceremony which will be held today at 11 A.M. at the Daejeon National Cemetery.

As it is the first time that the Unification Minister delivers congratulatory remarks at the North Korea Freedom Week, the Government will fully support and cooperate with diverse activities of civil organizations at home and abroad to improve human rights in North Korea.

 

2. Minister’s Schedule

From 10 A.M. today, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho is attending the Negotiation Group Leaders’ speech of the Democratic Party, and at 2 P.M., he will attend the opening ceremony of the Maumsory Psychological Counseling Center at the Incheon Regional Division of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, and deliver congratulatory remarks. At 7 P.M, the Minister will attend and deliver remarks at a congratulatory dinner at the National Institute for Unification Education. He will also grant an award to individuals with distinguished commitment in promoting unification education in 2023.

On September 19, Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting at 10 A.M., and attend an academic conference organized by the Korea Institute for National Unification to deliver congratulatory remarks at 1:30 P.M.

On September 20, Minister Kim will attend the Negotiation Group Leaders’ speech of the ruling People Power Party at 10 A.M., and attend a talk concert on stories about North Korea at the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center at 2 P.M.

On September 21, there will be a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs & Unification Committee at 10 A.M.

On September 22, at 3:45 P.M., Minister Kim will attend a contest for composing and singing children’s song on unification, and present an award to the winner. The Minister will provide words of encouragement to the nine groups of the contest participants.

 

3. Vice Minister’s Schedule

On September 21, at 11 A.M., Vice Minister Moon Seoung-hyun will attend the opening ceremony of a game event and deliver congratulatory remarks. This escape room game event, hosted by the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights and sponsored by the Ministry of Unification and the Incheon Metropolitan City, is to promote public awareness on North Korean human rights and Vice Minister Moon will engage in activities with participants.

 

4. Q&A

Q) Kim Jong Un is reportedly on his way back to North Korea after a five-day visit to Russia. Could you provide the Ministry’s overall assessment on his visit?

A) The National Security Council already expressed its position last week, and President Yoon has fully clarified the Government's stance in his recent interview with the Associated Press. We will closely monitor any cooperation between North Korea and Russia in the future.

Q) There is some analysis that Kim Jong Un may travel to China on the occasion of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Could you provide any information regarding possibility of Kim Jong Un’s visit to China, or a key individual as part of the North’s delegation with the athletes.

A) We are closely monitoring North Korea's participation in the Hangzhou Asian Games with relevant agencies. However, we do not have information to confirm at this stage on the participants or the format of the North Korean high-level delegation.

Q) I am aware that the Unification Ministry is taking follow-up measures on the decision to impose administrative fines on lawmaker Yoon Meehyang and eight other individuals, and could you tell us when a deliberative committee will be held for imposing an administrative fine?
Also, if they will be notified in advance of the imposition of fines, has the procedure been decided for when they will be notified?

A) Last week, lawmaker Yoon Meehyang submitted an explanatory note. The Ministry will review whether there is a violation of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act based on the submitted statement. Depending on whether the note is sufficient for this review or whether additional information is required, the schedule for the deliberative committee has not been finalized at this point.