Date: Monday, April 30, 2012
Time: 10:31~10:40
1. Minister’s Schedules
Minster Yu Woo-ik will report on ‘Current Inter-Korean Relations and the Korean Government’s North Korea Policy’ at the joint conference hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council at 1:00 P.M., Monday. The event is open to the media.
On May 1st, the Minister will attend the Education Center for Unification’s 40th Anniversary Ceremony. Various events will be held on this day’s ceremony at the international conference room of the Central Government Complex Pavilion.
Minister Yu is scheduled to deliver a congratulatory speech at the ‘Unification Preparation Forum’ at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, international conference hall. The event will take place on May 3rd, 1:30 P.M. Participants will share opinions about the purpose and method of raising unification fund during the first two sessions and combined discussion panel.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedules
Vice Minister Kim Chun-sig will participate in the second conference of the ‘Korea-Germany Joint Consultation Committee on National Unification’ from May 3rd to 4th in Berlin, Germany hosted by The Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany. Numerous renowned figures from both Korea and Germany will take part in this meeting. The main themes of the meeting are ‘Military Integration’ and ‘Economic and Social Integration.’
3. President Lee Myung-bak’s Commitment to Donate his Salary to the Unification Jar
As it is was reported through media on Saturday evening, President Lee Myung-bak has expressed a commitment to donate his salary this month to the Unification Jar during the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting on April 28th. It is truly meaningful and worth appreciating that the President showed his willingness to actively support and take part in the Unification Jar Campaign, one of the priorities of our ministry. Therefore the government, backed by the President’s strong support, will put our utmost efforts in pragmatically preparing for the national unification.
4. Concerns Regarding North Korea’s Third Nuclear Test and Potential Provocative Actions
The Korean government and the international community express deep concern regarding North Korea’s potential nuclear test and provocation toward South Korea. The government, in tandem with the global society, is consistently sending a clear message to the North that such provocative actions will be met with consequences and urging the North to choose a path towards co-prosperity and engagement with the international community. Please do not be misguided that such stance of our government doesn’t mean we will tolerate the North’s potential provocations but we are exercising restrain and refraining from reacting to each and every action by North Korea. Our government will leave the door of opportunity open so that the North can break the vicious cycle and change its course.
