Date: Monday, May 19, 2025
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
Minister Kim Yung Ho delivered opening remarks at the 2025
International Conference on North Korean Human Rights today at 10 A.M.
At 2 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony
of the 13th Unification Education Week.
At 5 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver welcoming remarks at the first
meeting of the 2025 Unification Future Planning Committee.
On May 20, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting.
On May 21, at 9 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the 16th Asian
Leadership Conference.
On May 23, at 6 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver a special lecture
for emerging scholars on unification and North Korea.
At 7:40 P.M., Minister Kim will deliver a welcoming speech at the
“Pond of the Three Forget-me-not Blossoms” opening ceremony.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
Vice Minister Kim Soo Kyung will attend the vice ministers’
conference on May 21 at 9:30 A.M.
On May 22, at 1:30 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will deliver
congratulatory remarks at the kick off event for the Children and
Middle School Press Corps.
On May 23, at 3 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will deliver opening remarks
at the launch ceremony of a program hosted by the Yonsei Institute for
North Korean Studies with the objective of fostering global youth
leaders on Korean unification.
3. Q&A
Q. It has been reported that North Korea last year replaced the
nameplate of Tongilgak, also referred to as the Unification Pavilion,
located on the North side of Panmunjeom. In its place, a new sign
reads “Panmungwan.” Is the Unification Ministry aware of this change?
Considering the fact that Kim Jong Il had personally named the
pavilion, reflecting the idea of a unified Korean nation, could this
be part of North Korea’s efforts to erase the concept of a unified
Korean nation?
A. The Tongilgak nameplate was removed in January of last year,
replaced by a new one reading “Panmungwan” in August. The Ministry
assesses that this move is part of the North’s efforts to erase the
concept of unification, in line with its “hostile relationship between
the two countries” approach.
Q. Ambassador Wang Yajun visited an HSK testing site along with
staff from the Chinese Embassy in Pyeongyang. The resumption of the
test seems to signal a shift in North Korea-China relations. Could
this be interpreted as a sign of recovering ties between the two countries?
A. There are various developments concerning relations between the
North and China, and the Ministry is closely monitoring these trends.
However, please understand that it would not be appropriate for the
ROK Government to comment on relations between the two parties in such
an official setting.
