On June 21, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse delivered congratulatory remarks at the Inter-Korean Cooperation for the 2023 Implementation of Green Detente International Symposium.

Minister Kwon said, “I believe that calmly preparing for the future of a new unified Korean Peninsula while guiding North Korea to make the right changes is the most important task for us at this moment.”

“As the North’s actions and the surrounding situation can change at any time, it is crucial for us to steady ourselves without hesitation and hold our ground unwaveringly,” he added.

The minister also stated, “At the same time, it is necessary to find ‘amicable common ground’ that involves less of a military and security burden to alleviate the ongoing confrontation between South and North Korea. I believe ‘inter-Korean forest cooperation’ is the optimal project to fulfill this goal.”

Lastly, he mentioned that “since it is an environmental issue directly linked to our survival, we hope that the North authorities will promptly and positively consider and respond to the request for cooperation.”