Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
April 24, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:33 A.M.
1. Ministry to hold a panel discussion on North Korean human rights
Today at 1:30 P.M., Unification Minister Kwon Youngse will deliver
opening remarks at a panel discussion co-hosted by the Unification
Ministry and lawmakers Thae Yong-ho and Kim Seokki on human rights in
North Korea.
Open for all participants, the panel discussion will explore the
significance of the documentation of human rights in North Korea and
the role of the private, public, and international community in
raising awareness on human rights in North Korea.
We anticipate that this event will be an opportunity to gather the
opinions of experts at home and abroad and boost all-embracing
cooperation on human rights in North Korea. The Ministry will make
every effort to disclose the actual human rights situation in North
Korea and to raise awareness further.
2. Q&A
Q) In response to North Korea’s unauthorized operation of the
Gaeseong Industrial Complex, does the Ministry plan to pursue legal
action through the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Gaeseong
Industrial District Foundation?
A) We are considering various measures to hold North Korea
accountable for its illegal operation of the GIC.
Q) It has been pointed out that taking legal action directly
against North Korea is ineffective. Do you have any plans to raise
this issue to the international public to hold the North accountable?
A) Let me say we are looking into every measures at this point.
However, we are aware that ever since Kim Jong Un took power, North
Korea has designated more than 20 special economic zones, mostly trade
and tourism zones. Surely North Korea understands that trade and
cooperation with other countries is fundamental for economic
development. We hope that North Korea will recognize the consequences
of not protecting the foundation of international trade and cooperation.
Q) There were reports that Director of the Academy of Defense
Science Jang Chang Ha might be the head of the General Missile Bureau
for his order of the Hwasong-18 missile launch. How does the Ministry
analyze this view?
A) Since the flag was first identified at an enlarged meeting of the
Central Military Commission in February, the General Missile Bureau
has continued to reappear in the North Korean media. However, as there
has been no official confirmation from North Korea as to who is in
charge of the Bureau, we will continue to monitor related developments
in the North.
