Date: Monday, March 23, 2020
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Minister's Schedule
Minister Kim Yeon Chul will attend the cabinet meeting tomorrow at
10 A.M.
2. Vice Minister's Schedule
Vice Minister Suh Ho will attend the vice-minister’s conference on
March 26 at 10:30 A.M.
3. Q&A (Extract)
Q. With President Donald Trump offering to cooperate on COVID-19 in
a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, does the ROKG’s stance
regarding inter-Korean cooperation in the healthcare sector remain the same?
A. President Moon Jae-in emphasized the necessity of cross-border
cooperation regarding unconventional security threats like the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the March First Independence
Movement Day speech.
In line with this, the Government’s basic position remains unchanged
— cooperation in the healthcare sector, which is directly linked to
the health and survival of all Korean nationals thus humanitarian and
mutually beneficial, is necessary between the two Koreas.
The Government will make future decisions while considering
situations regarding the virus in South and North Korea, as well as
provision of aid by the international community including developments
between U.S.-North Korea.
Q. Has the North delivered its position regarding quarantine
cooperation to the Ministry?
A. There have been no request for assistance from the North, nor any
detailed discussions regarding inter-Korean cooperation.
Q. There have been reports that the North requested domestic civic
groups for test kits, but the Ministry is neglecting this. Is this true?
A. The Government has acknowledged and emphasized the need for
inter-Korean cooperation in the healthcare sector. Civic groups are
making inquiries on how to provide aid to the North and the
requirements to apply for funding, but none have met
the requirements to carry out aid to the North regarding COVID-19.
