Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
September 11, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:33 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
From 10 A.M. today, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho is meeting with
Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights situation
in North Korea, and at 3:00 P.M., he will meet with the returned POWs
and families of POWs and detainees in North Korea.
On September 13, at 4 P.M., Minister Kim will attend the opening
ceremony of a screening event of movies on North Korean human rights
and deliver congratulatory remarks.
On September 14, Minister Kim will hold his first press conference
at 10 A.M., and at 3 P.M., he will attend an international symposium
hosted by the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights to
celebrate the 10th anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry on
Human Rights in North Korea and deliver congratulatory remarks.
On September 15, at 3:30 P.M., Minister Kim will meet with David
Alton, a member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom.
2. Q&A
Q) Kim Jong Un was reported to visit Russia on September 10,
however, the Rodong Sinmun reported that he attended the military
parade and even took a group photo. What is the Unification Ministry’s
take on Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia?
A) We are closely monitoring Kim Jong Un’s move with relevant
agencies. However, it is difficult to confirm specific details as they
are intelligence related matters. The Government is concerned about
possible military cooperation which was recently raised between North
Korea and Russia, and clearly reiterates that any cooperation between
North Korea and Russia must not undermine international norms and
peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Q) Could you confirm if there have been any cases where the North
Korean media has made an announcement prior to Kim Jong Un’s visit to
Russia or other countries?
A) North Korea has given very little advance notice on Kim Jong Un’s
visit to other countries, especially in the case of China and Russia.
For example, during the North Korea-Russia summit in Vladivostok in
April 2019, the schedule was first released by Russia six days before
the meeting.
