Date: Monday, April 12, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:41 A.M.
1. Ministry of Unification to further efforts to commune with those
in their 20s and 30s
Starting this week, the Ministry of Unification will operate a new
system led by employees in their 20s and 30s aimed at advancing
communication and innovation within the Ministry. This system, running
on a tentative name of ‘CheongDam : Youth Speaks of Unification’ will
be composed of up to 50 employees under the age of 35, and will meet
once a month.
The program focuses on encouraging younger employees to recognize
themselves as leading figures in carrying out tasks related to
unification and forming workplace culture. The Ministry hopes to
foster an environment where the voices of the younger generation are
heard, including but not limited to policy suggestions and feedback
about the workplace.
Based on the perception that those in their 20s and 30s are the main
drivers of unification, the Ministry has made efforts to increase
communication with this age group. The Ministry will continue to do so
more frequently, closely, and actively with the objective of expanding
youth participation in forming unification policies.
2. Q&A (Partial)
Q. Could you explain recent developments within the North ahead of
the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung? Also, I would like a comment on
the hearing scheduled to be held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights
Commission this week. A member of the House of Representatives
reportedly refuted remarks made by a Ministry official last week by
warning not to play down the significance of the hearing.
A. On the first question, as you have mentioned April 15 marks the
109th birthday anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. In relation to
this, the North is holding various celebratory events.
North Korea usually holds large-scale events every fifth
anniversary, but as this year does not apply to this, smaller-scale
commemorative celebrations including sports contests, movie screenings
and cultural events are being held. The scale of these events have
grown compared to last year, but this is an exception as most events
were canceled due to Covid-19. It appears that the North is preparing
events on a scale usually seen in years other than fifth anniversaries.
Regarding developments concerning the North’s military, we are
closely watching the situation. Military authorities have mentioned
that they are keeping a close eye on this, and there is nothing more
for us to add.
On the second question regarding the Tom Lantos Human Rights
Commission. The Government’s official position is that it does not
make assessments on the nature of congressional committees of the U.S.
Remarks made by the Ministry’s Deputy Spokesperson on April 9 does not
represent the Government’s official stance. The Deputy Spokesperson’s
comments were made in response to a question raised by a reporter
after the official briefing. The reporter asked about the difference
between domestic hearings and the one held by the commission, and the
Deputy Spokesperson relayed several opinions expressed by experts. The
Government’s position remains unchanged, it does not assess the nature
or characteristic of U.S. congressional committees.
Q. Sources in China are claiming that the New Yalu River Bridge
connecting North Korea and China will start operating soon. Are you
able to confirm this?
A. We have mentioned on a number of occasions that the Government is
closely watching developments in the border area between North Korea
and China. We will continue to do so, but I reiterate that it is
difficult to predict when the North will open its borders.
Q. There was a news report today on the purge and/or dismissal of
North Korea’s Choe Hwi and Pak Thae Song. What is the Government’s
take on this?
A. Secretary of the Party Central Committee Pak Thae Song and
department director of the Party Central Committee Choe Hwi have not
been identified in North Korean media reports since February 17, when
they attended a performance in celebration of Chairman Kim Jong Il’s birthday.
However, we cannot confirm changes to one’s position merely based on
the fact that he or she has not been identified through public
activities for a certain period of time. We will keep looking into any
further developments.
