Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.

1. Minister’s Schedule

Minister Kim Yung Ho will deliver congratulatory remarks at an event celebrating 10 years of the UniKorea Foundation today at 4 P.M.

On May 28, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting.

2. Vice Minister’s Schedule

Vice Minister Kim Soo Kyung will deliver remarks at an invitational event for separated families on May 28 at 11 A.M.

On May 29, at 11 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend a consultation meeting to gather opinions from teachers and parents of both defector and South Korean households.

3. Q&A

Q. North Korean state media reported today that senior officials have been summoned and detained in connection with last week’s failed launch of a naval destroyer at Chongjin port. What is the intention behind North Korea’s recent series of disciplinary actions, detaining multiple officials over several days?

Also, satellite images released shortly after the accident show the vessel lying on its side. The Ministry previously commented that the accident may not be as serious and that recovery could proceed more or less as planned. Could you share your current assessment – will the recovery process unfold as North Korea intends?

A. To address your second question first, the explanation provided last week was based on the North’s initial report regarding the destroyer accident. With the North stating its intention to normalize the situation before the plenary meeting of the party central committee scheduled for late June, the Ministry understood that the accident would not be critically severe. It is necessary to continue monitoring how the recovery process actually unfolds.

The North’s intention behind the ongoing disciplinary action is made clear in its May 23 report. The report indicates its desire to “sound an alarm bell” against what it describes as irresponsibility and other attitudes prevailing in all fields. The North apparently feels the need to restore internal discipline.

Q. Is there any additional information you can share regarding the destroyer accident?

A. There is no additional information for the Ministry to confirm at this stage. In light of President Kim Jong Un’s directive to ensure that the accident is fully resolved before the plenary meeting of the party central committee scheduled for late June, the Ministry will continue to closely monitor the situation.