Date: Monday, June 7, 2021
Time: 11:15-11:27 A.M.
1. Ministry to continue efforts to communicate with private
organizations and create conditions for inter-Korean cooperation
Following last week’s meetings with Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun
Jeong-eun and Ananti Chairman Lee Joong-myung, Minister Lee In-young
will sit down for a meeting with Korea Tourism Organization President
Ahn Young-bae on June 9 at 2 P.M. The meeting will be another
opportunity to seek opinions of organizations concerned with Mount
Geumgang tours, and will discuss ideas on resuming inter-Korean
tourism projects.
On June 11, Minister Lee will deliver congratulatory remarks at a
rice-planting event arranged by the National Farmer’s Federation held
at the flood control area of the Gunnam Dam. The event commemorates
the establishment of an “agricultural land for peace” inside the
civilian control line area of Yeoncheon County, where local residents
will cultivate rice in an eco-friendly manner, and the produced rice
will then be used for inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation. This
project holds significance not only for humanitarian cooperation
between the two Koreas, but also for creating a new model of
peace-building and agricultural cooperation in the border area. In
particular, such project along the shared waters of Imjin River is
expected to promote joint response to natural disasters such as floods
and allow for joint use of water resources between the two Koreas. The
Government will provide necessary support to assist the project in
proceeding smoothly.
2. Ministry to promote communication with people in their 20s and
30s in hope of building consensus on unification
The Unification Ministry has consistently worked toward creating
opportunities to discuss peace and unification with those in their 20s
and 30s through various means including music, dance, and talks
concerts. This month, the Ministry assisted three teams of young
artists in expressing the theme of “peace” through live painting, a
piano and cello duet, and a Korean traditional music band performance.
On June 8, the participating youth artists will stage a live concert
with Minister Lee, where musician Yubin and hanbok designer Kim Rieul
will emcee the event.
3. Q&A (Partial)
Q. What will be discussed at the meeting with the Korea Tourism Organization?
A. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) participated in the Mt.
Geumgang tourism project in 2001. Instead of settling a specific
agenda for this meeting, it was arranged as an opportunity to hear out
ideas and opinions held by organizations that took part in
inter-Korean cooperation projects. The Ministry will listen to various
stances held by the KTO on Mt. Geumgang tours.
Q. The idea of sending rice to the North and jointly responding to
natural disasters seem different in nature. I would like to know how
the Government plans to respond to natural disasters. Also, will all
rice cultivated in the region be sent to North Korea? If so, the
Government will probably have to purchase the rice and send it to the
North. Does this not go against sanctions on North Korea?
A. As mentioned, the “agricultural land for peace” will be
established in the flood control area of the Gunnam Dam. This is
located on the Imjin River, which flows from the North to the South
and requires cooperation between the two Koreas in the event of a
flood. When and if humanitarian and environmental cooperation
progresses, positive conditions will be set for joint measures against
natural disasters, including flood warnings and forecasts, and may
even lead to negotiations on joint use of water resources between the
two Koreas. In this regard, the project can contribute to not only
humanitarian cooperation, but further develop toward environmental and
agricultural cooperation, and possibly toward issues concerning
climate change.
The rice cultivated by local residents will likely be used for
humanitarian assistance purposes by the private sector. Such plans
need further discussion between the Government and the project entity
for specification.
As you may already be aware, humanitarian aid does not violate North
Korean sanctions. Further negotiations on this issue will be conducted
within the framework of sanctions against North Korea.
Q. There have been cases when North Korea opened its dam without
prior notice. Even if this area is called an “agricultural land for
peace,” North Korea might irrationally release its waters, affecting
the work of our farmers. Does the Government have plans to respond to
such situations?
Also, in response to Minister Lee’s remarks supporting the hosting
of an international golf tournament at Mount Geumgang, the U.S. State
Department issued comments emphasizing the implementation of
sanctions. The State Department’s response seems to indicate a
negative stance. Does the Ministry plan to hold consultations with the
U.S. on resuming Mt. Geumgang tours and holding golf tournaments there?
A. On your second question, the Ministry received a proposal from
the civic organization while sitting down for a meeting with the Korea
Golf Association Head Lee Joong-myung on June 4. As we have just
recently received the proposal, we plan to review the contents with
related agencies including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism, and see if there are any ways to support and cooperate at the
government level. In the process of this review, the Government will
fully consider aspects that can contribute to inter-Korean sports
exchanges and settling peace on the Korean Peninsula, and also look
into areas that require cooperation with the international community.
I have seen the State Department’s comments, and understand that
they have expressed a principled stance, reiterating the agreements
made between our two leaders: that they support inter-Korean dialogue
and cooperation, and call for the full implementation of relevant UNSC
resolutions by the international community.
As a member of the international community, the ROK Government has
maintained its respect for sanctions against North Korea in the
process of pursuing all inter-Korean cooperation projects. The
Government will, in this manner, consider private-level cooperation
proposals including the normalization of Mt. Geumgang tours and
holding golf tournaments in the area. We will comprehensively consider
the nature of international sports events and the peaceful
significance behind such projects, while reviewing its relations to sanctions.
Regarding the first question, the two Koreas have agreed several
times through consultations to notify each other before opening its
dams located in the shared waters. The basic position of the
Government is that prior notice should be made according to such
procedures. Whenever there is an opportunity for dialogue with North
Korea, we have maintained our position that such agreements must be
followed through.
I understand that the question you have raised is in relation to the
safety of local residents involved in the farming activities. To
prevent any risk from happening in the process of establishing an
“agricultural land for peace,” the Ministry will consult with related
departments and ensure the project proceed safely and in accordance
with the original purpose.
