Date: Monday, July 19, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:36 A.M.
1. Itinerary
The extraordinary session of the National Assembly is in progress
through July. During this session, the Legislation & Judiciary
Committee will deliberate on the revision of the North Korean Refugees
Protection and Settlement Support Act, which was passed by the Foreign
Affairs & Unification Committee on June 29.
The revised North Korean Refugees Act seeks to improve the support
system for business owners who have set an example in employing North
Korean defectors, which has been encouraged to increase the employment
rate of defectors. It includes easing the employment requirement from
“five defectors or more per year” to “three defectors or more,” and
ensuring public institutions preferentially purchase goods produced by
exemplary business owners.
As the Legislation & Judiciary Committee is scheduled for July
22, and the plenary session for July 23, the amendment is likely to be
introduced according to the National Assembly’s deliberation plan. In
this case, the Unification Minister will be attending the session. We
will notify any further developments as soon as they are set.
2. Regarding implementation of level 4 social distancing measures
Following last week, level 4 social distancing rules will continue
being pursued in the capital region this week. The Ministry of
Unification will focus on prioritizing the prevention and control of
Covid-19 while safely going about with our tasks.
Unification Minister Lee In-young presided over a meeting within the
Ministry last week and urged all departments to inspect and comply
with quarantine measures. Accordingly, each department is conducting
quarantine and operational inspections of its facilities.
3. Q&A
Q. If U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visits the
Unification Ministry, it will be another in a series of high-level
negotiations between the Ministry and State Department following
Special Representative Sung Kim’s visit. Has there been progress in
negotiations on arranging a consultative body between the two parties?
A. The Ministry believes that sufficient communication is needed in
various channels to strengthen cooperation on North Korean policy
between the ROK and U.S. Accordingly, the Ministry is making efforts
to improve communication and consultation with the U.S. From this
standpoint, we are discussing with the U.S. side to ensure appropriate
communication with Deputy Secretary Sherman during her visit. We will
advance consultations between the Ministry and State Department at all
levels whenever the opportunity rises.
Q. There are reports that China forcibly repatriated 50 or so North
Korean defectors last week. What is the Unification Ministry’s
position regarding this issue?
A. The Government has made various efforts to protect and support
North Korean defectors abroad. However, there is nothing that the
Ministry can confirm regarding the issue.
Q. Recent North Korean media reports and the DPRK Olympic Committee
spokesman’s statement suggest that North Korea is maintaining a
critical view of the Tokyo Olympics. What is the Government’s
assessment or judgement on this?
A. The North has a record of criticizing Japan’s position on
Korea-Japan historical and territorial disputes such as those
concerning Dokdo. Likewise, the North is emphasizing its position
around the recently raised issues involving the Tokyo Olympics.
Q. How is the Covid-19 situation being managed at Hanawon – have the
trainees been vaccinated? Have there been any confirmed cases of Covid-19?
A. The Ministry is making utmost efforts to prevent Covid-19 at
Hanawon and ensure the health and safety of trainees during their
education period. All employees and trainees wear masks at all times,
partitions have been installed in classrooms and cafeterias, and
personal hygiene is being emphasized. As of now, there have been no
confirmed cases of Covid-19 at Hanawon.
Furthermore, Hanawon is making sure that trainees who meet the age
criteria and wish to receive vaccinations be able to do so. So far,
three trainees over the age of 60 have been vaccinated.
