Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
Time: 10:30-10:37 A.M.

 

1. Minister’s Schedule

Minister Kim Yung Ho will attend the cabinet meeting on April 8 at 10 A.M.

 

2. Vice Minister’s Schedule

Vice Minister Kim Soo Kyung will attend the vice ministers’ conference on April 10 at 9 A.M.

 

3. Q&A

Q. Two weeks have passed since the North Korean residents found adrift in the West Sea have reportedly expressed a desire to return, and about 10 days since this intent was conveyed to North Korea via the United Nations Command. Has there been any response from the North? Is the Government continuing communication efforts?

A. Please understand that it is difficult to confirm the specifics regarding this matter.

Q. North Korea held a marathon in Pyeongyang for the first time in six years. How does the Unification Ministry assess the return of this event, and how does it foresee trends concerning North Korean tourism and the opening of Pyeongyang?

A. The North has reported that it held the ‘31st Pyongyang International Marathon’ for the first time in six years, with the last event dating back to 2019. It is said that around 200 foreign athletes from 46 countries arrived in Pyeongyang. Whether this marks the resumption of foreign tourism remains to be seen.

North Korea recently resumed foreign tourism, only to suspend the program soon after. Given that the North proceeded with the marathon as planned, its intent to open doors to foreign tourists seems to persist.

Q. With the impeachment of the president, the country is now entering the election phase. What is the government’s current stance on North Korea policy and what is the Unification Ministry’s policy direction until the inauguration of the next administration?

A. The Unification Ministry will make utmost efforts to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable manner while closely watching developments in the North. The Ministry will calmly carry out its core duties concerning unification and North Korea, ensuring that no governance gap arises.

Q. Long articles on the North’s “war victory day” were featured on the first two pages of today’s Rodong Sinmun. Could you explain any points that were noteworthy?

A. As you have noted, the third part of the North’s 80-year Workers’ Party history series was published today. A notable difference compared to the 75-year history published five years ago is the omission of the phrase “liberated Seoul (during the Korean War).” It appears that the North, in relation to its declaration of inter-Korean relations as “two hostile countries,” is removing any content that suggests inter-Korean connection.

Q. With regards to the North Korean residents, if the North continues to remain irresponsive and if these individuals clearly expressed their will to return, what would be the government’s next step? Are there no options if North Korea does not respond?

A. The Government is taking appropriate measures while giving priority to the prompt and safe return of those concerned. The Ministry will continue to cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure a safe return.

Q. North Korea has not issued any notable commentary on former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal from office – what do you see is the reason for this?

Also, reporting on Kim Jong Un’s recent inspection of a army special operations unit shows snipers wearing ghillie suits, and some speculate that this training reflects North Korea’s combat deployment experience in Russia. What is the Unification Ministry’s understanding?

A. The North briefly reported on the Constitutional Court ruling to oust the impeached president 19 hours after the court’s decision. The report noted that it was a unanimous decision and cited foreign media for evaluation. The North appears to be maintaining distance, or taking a wait-and-see approach, consistent with its position of portraying inter-Korean relations as “two hostile countries.”

North Korean media reported on April 5 that President Kim Jong Un visited the training base of a special operations unit, noting that the training applied “new military tactics of Korean style for bolstering special operation forces in keeping with the developing aspects of modern warfare.” Considering that the report also mentions “crucial tasks for putting the special operation capability on a highly-developed basis” and the “test-firing of a sniper rifle to be newly supplied,” the North’s recent experiences from the war in Ukraine seems to be somewhat reflected in such training.