On May 17, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse delivered congratulatory remarks at the 42nd anniversary of the Central Association for National Unification of Korea ceremony.

During his remarks, Minister Kwon said, “The Yoon administration has exerted great efforts to establish the right inter-Korean relations and to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea based on principles.”

“The government is also making consistent efforts to improve the human rights issues and humanitarian situation in North Korea, while steadfastly deterring the North’s provocations based on the firm ROK-U.S. alliance,” he added.

Moreover, he said that “even if just for the sake of North Koreans suffering, we must walk away from the path of isolation and despair and walk towards coexistence and prosperity. The North should face this reality and come to the table of dialogue and cooperation immediately as South Korea and the international community urge.”

Lastly, the minister emphasized that “the South Korean government will be undeterred by North Korea’s responses and steadily pave the way for the future of a unified Korean Peninsula with our people while abiding by its principles.”