Date: Monday, March 4, 2024
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.

1. Weekly Schedule

On March 4, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim Yung Ho and Vice Minister Moon Seung-hyun took part in volunteer work with North Korean defectors on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Unification Ministry’s founding.

At 7 P.M., Minister Kim will make an appearance on Korean Broadcasting System’s news program.

On March 6, at 3 P.M., Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting.

On March 7, at 6 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver a special lecture for members of the Sanhakyeon Forum.

On March 8, at 9:30 A.M., Minister Kim will deliver a special lecture for Goyang City employees.

2. Q&A

Q) Some human rights groups have pointed out the lack of information disclosed in the test results of radiation exposure among North Korean defectors that lived near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. This year’s report has far more blanks than the results of the same test made public during the Moon Jae-in administration in 2017 and 2018, which were then criticized for reducing or concealing study findings. Could you explain why, in contrast to the 2018 report, the findings do not include information on when the defectors defected, as well as his or her occupation and residential area at the time of the North’s nuclear test?

A) The question you have raised is one concerning the personal information of examinees. The report sets out personal information to the extent consented to by examinees.

Q) Was the 2018 report disclosed after obtaining consent for sharing personal information?

A) Rules and regulations concerning privacy protection are becoming stricter, and it is my understanding that rules on personal information have strengthened compared to 2018.

Q) Minister Kim Yung Ho said at the National Assembly in October that the Ministry will share the results with civic groups. Has the Ministry devised plans to utilize the test results or is there a procedure in place that civic groups can refer to when requesting for related information?

A) The Ministry will make efforts to find means of cooperation within the scope of the Personal Information Protection Act.