Date: Monday, October 12, 2020
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.
1. Minister's Schedule
Minister Lee In-young will attend the cabinet meeting tomorrow at 9 A.M.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
Vice Minister Suh Ho will attend the vice-ministers’ conference on
October 15 at 10:30 A.M.
3. Q&A (Extract)
Q. Chairman Kim Jong Un made positive remarks at the military
parade, referring to the South Korean people as ‘our dear fellow
compatriots in the South.’ What is the Unification Ministry’s
evaluation of the recent speech?
A. The ROK Government expressed a hopeful position in a statement
released yesterday regarding Chairman Kim’s address. By referring to
South Koreans as ‘our dear fellow compatriots’ and mentioning that
‘the day would come when the North and South take each other’s hand
again,‘ Chairman Kim implied that inter-Korean relations can be
restored when the right environment is presented. We hope to see
improvements in the spread of Covid-19 in the South to move forward
with inter-Korean cooperation soon.
Q. Is there anything the government can do, possibly propose to the
North, as follow up measures to yesterday’s statement?
A. The government is ready to cooperate with North Korea in the
humanitarian and healthcare sectors, and has openly expressed its
willingness on numerous occasions. However, we are not at the stage
where we can make specific proposals or implement them. We will make
preparatory measures so that we can pursue inter-Korean cooperation as
soon as a suitable environment is presented.
Q. The North also unveiled intercontinental ballistic missiles at
the military parade. Does the Ministry have a position regarding this?
A. South Korea’s military has expressed concern over North Korea’s
demonstration of new strategic weapons through its military parade,
and the Unification Ministry has nothing to add. Taking this
opportunity, I would like to express once again our hopes toward
fostering the right environment for inter-Korean dialogue and
expanding cooperation, which can lead to settlement of peace on the
Korean Peninsula.
