Date: Monday, April 18, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Regarding North Korea’s missile launch
North Korean state media reported yesterday that President Kim Jong
Un observed the test-fire of a new-type tactical guided weapon.
The ROK Government discussed North Korea’s military activities and
future response through an emergency National Security Council (NSC)
session chaired by the first deputy director of the National Security
Office on the 16th, as well as an NSC session presided by the director
of national security yesterday.
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in directed related ministries to
exhaustively monitor the North’s movements while thoroughly managing
the situation. Accordingly, the Ministry of Unification is closely
watching the North and making utmost efforts to manage the situation.
We urge the North to immediately suspend acts that create tension on
the Korean Peninsula and cause regional instability, and return to
dialogue for peace at the earliest possible date.
2. Q&A
Q. Does the Ministry have plans to hold talks with Special
Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim during his visit to Seoul?
A. We are aware that U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung
Kim is in Seoul until the 22nd, but a possible visit to the
Unification Ministry as well as talks with officials is currently
under discussion. We will let you know once a specific schedule is confirmed.
Q. There have been reports suggesting that a new figure has been
accompanying President Kim Jong Un on his public activities and seems
to be in charge of protocol. Does the Ministry have any information
regarding such observations?
A. The Ministry is aware of such reports, but does not have
information to specifically identify this individual. We will closely
monitor this person’s activities with interest.
Q. Did the calls through the South-North Joint Liaison Office go as
usual? Has the North responded to the South’s proposals regarding
Mount Geumgang facilities?
A. Since the restoration of inter-Korean communications channels
last October, the South and the North are making daily routine calls
twice a day, at 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. Today’s 9 A.M. call went through as usual.
However, the North is yet to provide a response concerning the
removal of facilities at Mt. Geumgang. We once again urge the North to
provide a thorough explanation about the dismantlement of Mt. Geumgang
facilities and respond to the request for consultations at the
earliest possible date.
Q. Observers say the North’s new type of tactical guided weapon
launched on April 16 is designed to deliver tactical nuclear weapons
to the South. How does the Ministry evaluate such assessments?
A. The ROK military detected the North’s launch of two projectiles
from Hamheung area toward the East Sea at around 6 P.M. on April 16.
Intelligence authorities of the South and the U.S. are currently
conducting a thorough analysis of the launch details. With a detailed
analysis of the nature, implications, and evaluation of the launch
currently underway through ROK-U.S. cooperation, we will closely
monitor related developments.