Regular Briefing by Acting Spokesperson Cha Duck Chul
Date:
Monday, May 2, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. North Korea celebrated its Workers’ Day, “May Day”.
Yesterday(5.1) was International Workers’ Day.
North Korea refers to it as “May Day” and has been celebrating May
Day as the national holiday.
The Rodong Sinmun and the KCNA reported today(5.2) that members of
the Workers’ Party and its high-ranking officials celebrated the
holiday with workers.
Choe Ryong Hae and Kim Tok Hun, the members of the Central Committee
Political Bureau, as well as party members and ranking officials
visited factories, businesses, collective farms, etc. to congratulate
workers for May Day and watched sports contests and performances.
2. Q&A
Q. The new administration takes office next week, and the
Unification minister nominee Kwon Youngse and the new head of the
Office of National Security announced yesterday emphasized an equal
stance on the North Korean affairs. What is the Ministry’s take on
this outlook and what would be different in the future?
A. We continue to maintain the basic stance that the Ministry of
Unification does not offer comments in detail regarding what the
minister nominee said and the policy of the Presidential transition
committee related to the incoming government.
Q. Is there any response from North Korea to the distribution of
leaflets by the North Korean defector group?
A. So far, we have not been able to confirm that there has been a
specific reaction from the North. The police and relevant agencies are
currently conducting an investigation into the distribution of the
leaflets by the Fighters for a Free North Korea.
Q. Recently Kim Kye Gwan, the former First Vice Minister of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made appearances in the media. Could you
provide more details whether he regained his official title or there
are unusual developments?
A. Over the past weekend, KCTV reported the event in North Korea,
and a figure assumed to be the former First Vice Minister of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Kye Gwan appeared on the screen. The
Ministry is conducting a comprehensive analysis related to the
possibility that this individual may be Kim Kye Gwan in cooperation
with relevant agencies.
Q. Do you think that recent appearances of key individuals in
North Korea including Kim Kye Gwan are giving signals in North Korea’s
policy change?
A. At this point, we do not have information specifically to
provide, but we will keep looking into any further developments.
