Date: Monday, August 9, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:38 A.M.
1. Unification Ministry and Institute for Peace and Unification
Studies to co-host DMZ Peace Map Forum
On August 12, the Unification Ministry and Seoul National
University’s Institute for Peace and Unification Studies will co-host
the DMZ Peace Map Forum through an online platform. At the request of
the Ministry, the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies produced
the ‘DMZ peace map,’ which will be introduced at the forum.
The map of the DMZ, which is the first of its kind to utilize the
geographic information system in its production, will include
geographical, topographical, historical cultural, ecological
information as well as data concerning peace and unification.
Spacially, the map covers the entire inter-Korean border area beyond
the DMZ and reaching the Han River and the West Sea. Time-wise, the
map presents tens of thousand of years worth of history in the DMZ
area dating back to prehistoric ages.
Furthermore, the map is designed to allow users to create his or her
own DMZ peace map by setting desired time and space topics. This peace
map will be made public in early 2022 after going through
supplementary adjustments such as data verification. Through the
release of the DMZ peace map, the Government seeks to increase the
public’s interest and understanding of the DMZ, and use it as a key
primary data in future efforts toward inscribing the DMZ as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
The scheduled forum will provide a demonstration of the DMZ peace
map and conduct expert discussions on the significance and utilization
of the map.
2. Regarding level 4 social distancing measures
Meanwhile, the Unification Ministry’s bureau heads conducted
quarantine inspections of affiliate agencies and facilities last week.
Inspections at the Center for Unified Korean Future, which has been
operating as a residential treatment center since last December, were
focused on checking whether quarantine rules such as the separation of
routes between Ministry employees and treatment center officials were
being strictly followed.
The Ministry was able to confirm that facilities used by the general
public were complying with quarantine measures, such as operating a
reservation system to reduce user density, managing a customer
register, and installing thermal imaging cameras and automatic
sterilizers. These facilities include the National Memorial for
Abductees during the Korean War, Information Center on North Korea,
Odusan Unification Tower, and Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center.
Despite temporary suspension of Panmunjeom tours, related facilities
are being managed safely and staff members are following quarantine rules.
The Ministry will continue to make efforts to ensure the safe
operation of all facilities.
3. Inter-Korean communications
Since the restoration of inter-Korean communications channels on
July 27, the liaison offices of the South and the North have been
making daily routine calls twice a day. The communications lines are
in stable operation.
4. Q&A (Partial)
Q. North Korea has released reports on flood damages in South
Hamgyong Province. If the North asks for assistance, is the government
willing to provide humanitarian aid? If the government decides to send
aid to the North, which method would be most probable – direct aid
between the two Koreas or indirect aid delivered through international organizations?
A. The Government’s basic position regarding inter-Korean
humanitarian cooperation is that it should be pursued regardless of
political and military situations. Adhering to this basic stance, the
Government will watch out for the North’s damages and international
response, and make efforts to devise a cooperation plan that can
substantially improve the humanitarian situation of North Koreans.
The Government has a record of providing humanitarian assistance to
the North in the event of natural disasters through various means
including government and civilian channels as well as through
international organizations. While leaving all possibilities open, the
Government will monitor the North’s damage situation and needs for
support, and draw up concrete cooperative measures through
negotiations with the North and the international community.
Q. Has the North shared anything regarding its flood damages through
the South-North Joint Liaison Office?
A. The Government will pursue to expand inter-Korean communications
and cooperation in areas directly related to the lives of the Korean
people through the restored communications channels. This could
include the sharing of information on weather such as typhoons and
heavy rain, as well as information on natural disasters. The
Government has been reviewing cooperative methods in this direction,
but so far we have not shared information about the recent flood
damages in the North through the joint liaison office.
Q. Does the Ministry have any plans to approve additional
humanitarian aid to be delivered to the North?
A. The Government, after comprehensively considering the principle
of pursuing inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation, the requests of
civilian organizations, and the urgency of providing public health and
nutrition related aid to North Koreans, decided to approve two such
requests on July 30.
We are positioned to approve any additional requests that meet
necessary requirements and cover areas that call for urgent support
such as health and nutrition. However, no additional cases have been
approved as of now.
