Date: Monday, August 5, 2024
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.

 

1. Minister’s Schedule

On August 6, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim Yung Ho will attend the cabinet meeting.

On August 7, at 7:30 A.M., Minister Kim will hold a meeting with the policy advisory council on unification policy to discuss ideas on unification.

On August 9, at 11 A.M., Minister Kim will hold an awards ceremony for meritorious individuals that have assisted in the settlement of North Korean defectors.

 

2. Vice Minister’s Schedule

On August 6, at 10:40 A.M., Vice Minister Kim Su Kyeong will make an appearance at a live interview hosted by KTV.

On August 8, at 9 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the vice ministers’ conference.

At 10 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will hold the North Korean Defector Protection and Settlement Support Council.

 

3. Q&A

Q. President Kim Jong Un has reportedly attended a “ceremony for transferring new-type tactical ballistic missile launchers” and announced its depoloyment to frontier military units. How does the Unification Ministry analyze the situation and what is North Korea’s intention of deploying launchers to the border area?

A. The ROK Government is closely monitoring the North’s weapons production through close cooperation among relevant agencies. There is nothing for the Unification Ministry to individually analyze or evaluate with regards to the North’s weapons system.

Q. At yesterday’s ceremony, President Kim Jong Un expressed that the U.S. is an enemy state of the North and that this fact does not change regardless of the result of the upcoming presidential election. I would like to ask how the Unification Ministry evaluates this statement.

A. There is nothing to interpret or evaluate regarding President Kim Jong Un’s remarks.

Q. Kim Jong Un says North Korea will deny the limitations in force and indefinitely develop new weapons, arguing that military confrontation from the U.S. and South Korea is the reason behind such decision. Could you once again provide the Unification Ministry’s position regarding such claim?

A. The main cause threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is North Korea’s illegal development of nuclear and missile weapons, which eventually poses a direct threat to the ROK and the international community. The Government, through close cooperation with partners, is making utmost efforts to deter the North’s provocations and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Q. North Korean state media, without making any comments, has published a photo of Kim Ju Ae after remaining silent for 80 or so days. Does the Unification Ministry have an analysis regarding this?

A. As you have mentioned, a photo of President Kim Jong Un’s daughter Kim Ju Ae was published today without a separate statement or report, a first in almost three months. As of now, the Ministry will monitor related developments without making assumptions on the North’s intentions.

Q. Over the weekend, President of State Affairs Kim Jong Un issued a message practically rejecting South Korea’s aid offer while paying a visit to an air force unit that carried out rescue operations in flood-hit areas. Does the Ministry have a position to present regarding this? Has the North officially rejected the offer over the weekend?

A. The North has not yet officially responded to our proposal to provide flood relief. The Government will refrain from making premature assumptions, and looks forward to receiving a positive response from the North regarding our sincere proposal.

Q. Are you making daily routine calls twice a day through communication lines?

A. Yes, the Ministry is making efforts to contact the North through the joint liaison office communication channel each day at 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.