On May 3, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse delivered a congratulatory speech at the opening symposium celebrating the founding of Korea University’s Institute for National Unification and Convergence and discussed healthcare issues of South and North Korea.

Minister Kwon said, “As stated in the Annual Report on the Status of Human Rights in North Korea published by the Unification Ministry last month, even at this moment, our compatriots in the North are living a difficult life where they cannot even enjoy basic medical benefits.”

He added that “it is the North Korean authorities that are most responsible as they are solely focusing on nuclear and missile development while neglecting the livelihoods of their own people, but we cannot ignore the suffering of these people.”

Moreover, “As confirmed during the recent ROK-U.S. Summit by the leaders, the Yoon administration will not stop its efforts to improve the humanitarian situation of North Koreans regardless of the political and military situation.”

Minister Kwon “once again strongly urged the North to stop provocations and threats that do not do any good for them and to come out onto the path of cooperation for the livelihoods and health of North Koreans.”