Briefing by Unification Minister Kwon Youngse on the occasion of
Chuseok
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022
Time: 10:00-10:16 A.M.
1. Briefing by Unification Minister Kwon Youngse on the occasion
of Chuseok
Good Morning.
We are just about two days away from the national holiday,
Chuseok(Korean Thanksgiving). A number of separated families will
spend the holiday filled with a sense of loneliness, yearning for
their families and hometowns. I feel the weight of responsibility as
the unification minister.
Differences in political system and ideology should not be the cause
for tearing families apart. Nonetheless, 70 years have passed without
knowing the whereabouts of parents and siblings. There is not much
time left. About 400 people of separated families pass away just in
one month, leaving the surviving 40,000 people in their 80s and 90s.
The South and the North should confront the painful parts of the
reality. We must solve the matter before the term “separated families”
disappears. Holding a one-off reunion with a small number of people as
in the past is not enough. We need to use all possible means
immediately to come up with quick and fundamental measures. The
Government is ready to make every effort to alleviate the pain of
division any time, anywhere, in any way possible.
Today,
the ROK Government publicly proposes to hold talks with the North to
discuss the issue of separated families.
The Government hopes that responsible officials of the two sides
will meet in person as soon as possible for a candid discussion on
humanitarian matters including the issue of separated families. We
will approach this dialogue with an open mind, and make sure to take
into account the preferences of the North including the date, venue,
agenda and format of the talks in a positive manner.
The ROKG strongly urges the North to respond to our request at the
earliest possible date. We ask the people of Korea to support our efforts.
Thank you.
2. Q&A
Q. In my personal opinion, the past reunions of separated
families that proceeded on a regular basis during the Kim Dae-jung and
Roh Moo-hyun administrations were influenced by the large amount of
rice support. Does the Ministry have any plans to provide large-scale
rice aid to North Korea to resolve the issue of separated families?
A. Currently, the Government is not examining other particular
incentives for humanitarian issues. As the issue of separated families
is humanitarian concerns, I believe that North Korea must also respond.
Q. When the South and the North held an inter-Korean dialogue in
the past, a proposal in a telephone message was sent first to North
Korea, then a form of consultation followed. Is there any special
reason that the Minister is officially announcing the proposal this
time? In addition, has the Ministry sent any document in advance?
A. We are trying to send the document at this time through the
South-North Joint Liaison Office. As you know, there was a recent
rejection of a proposal. Thus, a public announcement like today can
also be another option besides sending a proposal in document.
Q. In the past, proposals for reunions usually followed after
inter-Korean dialogues resumed and the relations improved. Could you
elaborate the background of your proposal in this deadlock
inter-Korean relations?
A. As I have just explained, the issue of separated families is most
urgent on the occasion of Chuseok. Thus the order of the process is
not important in terms of inter-Korean relations. In a sense, I
believe that this proposal to discuss a reunion of separated families
can solve other pending issues together.
Q. When you mentioned that the Ministry is taking into account
the preferences of the North including the date, venue, and format,
were you considering the North’s current Covid-19 situation?
A. If North Korea responds to the proposal, the North must have its
own preferences for the way of holding dialogue including the date,
venue, format, etc. We would take into account what the North wants
regarding this matter, not specifically narrowing down to its Covid-19 situation.
Q. If North Korea does not respond to or even criticizes the
Minister's proposal, is there any options or alternatives?
A. We will continue to make proposals.
Q. The Unification Ministry proposed to North Korea in May for
cooperation in public health and quarantine efforts, however, the
North did not receive the proposal. Also it is unclear that the North
would accept today’s proposal as well. How do you take on this view?
A. We will continue to contact North Korea on matters that are
absolutely necessary for us to address.
Q. Will the issue of separated families be included in the
“Audacious Initiative?”
A. The issue of separated families is closely associated with the
Audacious Initiative. I mentioned it earlier that the Audacious
Initiative and humanitarian matters can be proceeded separately while
providing a positive influence to each other. We will continue to push
forward on both issues hand in hand.
Q. It seems that fundamental measures are necessary at this
point. Could you explain what measures you may have in mind?
A. Fundamental measures can be formulated through discussion of the
two Koreas, which is why we proposed to hold high-level talks this
time whereas the issue of separated families was usually proposed by
the Red Cross.
The most fundamental and humanitarian issue of separated families
are affected by inter-Korean relations, not being able to continue on
a regular basis.
And with that, a number of additional measures
must be handled considering Covid-19 quarantine situation when a
reunion is realized. Taking this into account, we thought it would be
appropriate to propose holding high-level talks. If North Korea makes
a different offer, we will approach it with an open mind.
Q. You mentioned that the Ministry is attempting to send the
proposal today. Could you provide more information on the format of
the proposal in document?
A. The proposal in document is sent under the name of the Minister
of Unification, to the director of the United Front Department, Ri Son
Gwon. As you may well know, the Chairman of the Committee for the
Peaceful Reunification of the Country is currently vacant.
Q. What is the recent stance of the North on a reunion of
separated families that the Government is aware of? Also, if North
Korea responds positively and holds talks, are you willing to extend
the agenda during the talks?
A. We have not confirmed any stance from North Korea regarding a
reunion since the start of the new Government.
Regarding the
possibility of extending the agenda of separated families to a broader
level, we greatly look forward to seeing this, however, carrying out
the talks will be the priority.
Q. The issue of separated families is a humanitarian issue and
should not be a question of negotiation, however, if North Korea asks
for economic assistance or have other demands for agreeing to a
reunion, then today’s proposal by the Unification Ministry may
potentially link to humanitarian aid to North Korea, which may be
responsible at the Government level.
Was there any close consultation about today’s proposal with the
Office of the President in advance, such as the Presidential Office
fully backing up inter-Korean dialogue to realize discussion on
separated families?
A. Let me tell you that we always share the status with the Office
of the President on these issues. As you mentioned, if there is a
request for other humanitarian issues in the wake of an inter-Korean
dialogue, the main stance of the Government is that we are ready to
support and cooperate at any time, regardless of the political and
military circumstances.
Q. In the case of ministerial-level talks, who would be your
North Korean counterpart? Also, when you mentioned that you would
refrain from holding a one-time reunion event, do you consider holding
regular reunions?
A. Since the Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful
Reunification of the Country is vacant at this moment, we are sending
the document and proposing to hold talks under the recipient of the
director of the United Front Department.
Also, rather than
a voiding one-off
reunions, we look forward to making it to be continuous and regular event.
Q. There may be various options such as video reunions or letter
exchanges. Could you provide more information in detail?
A. We hope to continue from what we have done in the past reunions
including video reunions or hometown visits. In particular, North
Korea may rather prefer video reunions due to the current Covid-19
situation. In this regard, there was a report today slightly different
from the fact, however, the number of face-to-face reunions was
reduced from four to three times in consideration of various
situations including Covid-19.
Thank you.
