Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
Minister Kim Yung Ho will deliver congratulatory remarks at an event
celebrating 10 years of the UniKorea Foundation today at 4 P.M.
On May 28, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
Vice Minister Kim Soo Kyung will deliver remarks at an invitational
event for separated families on May 28 at 11 A.M.
On May 29, at 11 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend a consultation
meeting to gather opinions from teachers and parents of both defector
and South Korean households.
3. Q&A
Q. North Korean state media reported today that senior officials
have been summoned and detained in connection with last week’s failed
launch of a naval destroyer at Chongjin port. What is the intention
behind North Korea’s recent series of disciplinary actions, detaining
multiple officials over several days?
Also, satellite images released shortly after the accident show the
vessel lying on its side. The Ministry previously commented that the
accident may not be as serious and that recovery could proceed more or
less as planned. Could you share your current assessment – will the
recovery process unfold as North Korea intends?
A. To address your second question first, the explanation provided
last week was based on the North’s initial report regarding the
destroyer accident. With the North stating its intention to normalize
the situation before the plenary meeting of the party central
committee scheduled for late June, the Ministry understood that the
accident would not be critically severe. It is necessary to continue
monitoring how the recovery process actually unfolds.
The North’s intention behind the ongoing disciplinary action is made
clear in its May 23 report. The report indicates its desire to “sound
an alarm bell” against what it describes as irresponsibility and other
attitudes prevailing in all fields. The North apparently feels the
need to restore internal discipline.
Q. Is there any additional information you can share regarding the
destroyer accident?
A. There is no additional information for the Ministry to confirm at
this stage. In light of President Kim Jong Un’s directive to ensure
that the accident is fully resolved before the plenary meeting of the
party central committee scheduled for late June, the Ministry will
continue to closely monitor the situation.
