Regular Briefing by Deputy Spokesperson Kim Eunhan
Date : Friday, September 20, 2019
Time : 10:30-10:33 A.M.
[Minister & Vice Minister's Schedules]
Vice Minister Suh ho
will deliver congratulatory remarks at a policy seminar on peace
economy held at the National Assembly today(9.20) at 3 P.M.
[Q&A]
Q : Was there any response from the North about the
proposal (made by the South) to cooperate in preventing the spread of
African swine fever?
A : I have nothing to confirm in particular at this moment.
Q : Can I say that as "you haven't received it yet?"
A : Yes.
Q : There was no report about the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration of
September on North Korea's KCTV yesterday. Do you have any comment on it?
A : As you said there is no particular report(or activity) in the
North Korean media on the first anniversary of the Pyeongyang Joint
Declaration of September. I would like to state that it is not
appropriate for the ministry to comment on such movement.
Q : Today the website of the North's Korea Council for
Reconciliation and Cooperation and Uriminjokkiiri each posted an
article in different words asking to repatriate the workers of
Ryugyong restaurant. Is your stance on the restaurant workers remain
the same or is there a different position?
A : I would like to restate that there was an announcement by the
National Human Rights Commission of Korea(NHRCK) of the findings from
the investigation. Again I would like to emphasize our basic position
that the Ministry of Unification will faithfully carry out the NHRCK's decision.
Q: I have a follow-up question. North Korea recently brought up the
problem of the Ryugyong restaurant workers and claimed that it relates
to the separated families reunion issue on its propaganda media
outlet. But the unification ministry is in fact stating it will put
the separated families reunion first in priority once inter-Korean
relations improves. Please tell us what you think about the current situation.
A: I would like to say that the issue of the North Korean defectors
whose will have been confirmed in the process of entering the South
and the issue of separated families are different
matters.
However, I would like to reiterate our basic stance that
resolving the issue of separated families who were forced apart by
national division is the basis of mutual agreement signed by the two
leaders and basic responsibility of the South and the North, and that
the ROKG puts the issue of separated families as a top priority. Have
a great weekend.
