Ministry of Unification
2024-08-19
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Date: Monday, August 19, 2024
Time: 10:30-10:33 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
On August 19, from 10:20 A.M., Minister Kim Yung Ho is attending the cabinet meeting.
On August 22, at 10:30 A.M., Minister Kim will attend a press conference at the invitation of the Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club.
On August 23, at 2 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver a special lecture for newly appointed government employees.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
On August 22, at 9 A.M., Vice Minister Kim Su Kyeong will attend the vice ministers’ conference.
3. Q&A
Q. Four days have passed since the announcement of the August 15 Unification Doctrine, but North Korea has not responded yet. When the “Audacious Initiative” was announced on Liberation Day two years ago, vice department director Kim Yo Jong refused the idea on the fourth day. Is the North’s response running a little late?
Also, with regards to the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), President Kim Jong Un reportedly observed a drill of launching strategic cruise missiles in time with the first day of last year’s UFS. This year the North issued a mere press statement under the name of its Foreign Ministry’s Institute for American Studies. How do you evaluate the current situation?
A. The North is yet to issue an official response regarding the August 15 Unification Doctrine. The Ministry will continue to monitor the North’s response without making any assumptions. However, as it was President Yook Suk Yeol who proposed to hold dialogue without preconditions, unloading any possible burden by suggesting working-level talks, the North will need to carefully consider the offer.
As you have mentioned, the North’s response to this year’s UFS is not as strong as previous years. However, as today is only the first day of exercises, we will need to continue monitoring related developments.
Q. Some say that North Korea’s silence regarding the August 15 Unification Doctrine is due to the severe flood damage. Is the Ministry aware of such trends or what is the Ministry’s evaluation of the North’s lack of response?
A. As reported by state media, the North appears to be suffering from extensive flood damage. It is possible that such damages will increasingly affect the livelihood of North Korean residents, potentially impacting the North Korean authority’s response or attitude. The Ministry will monitor related developments without making assumptions.
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