Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam
Date: Monday,
September 25, 2023
Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
From 10 A.M. today, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho is attending
the cabinet meeting. At 4:30 P.M., Minister Kim will attend a
volunteer event on the occasion of Chuseok with North Korean defectors
to deliver food for the elderly living alone.
On September 26, at 2 P.M., Minister Kim will visit separated family
members and send words of condolences, and at 4 P.M., he will attend
the 4th meeting of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, held
at the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation.
On September 27, at 11 A.M., Minister Kim will attend an event to
commemorate the first Day of Separated Families and deliver remarks at
the Plaza Hotel. This event is the first commemoration since the Day
of Separated Families has been designated as a national holiday, and
various cultural events will be held at Gwanghwamun Square from 1 P.M.
to 6 P.M.
2. Vice Minister’s Schedule
Vice Minister Moon Seoung-hyun will visit the Seoul Raphayel’s
House, a welfare facility for people with disabilities, to deliver
supplies and offer words of consolation and encouragement ahead of
Chuseok at 4 P.M. today.
On September 27, Vice Minister Moon will visit Gwanghwamun Square
where cultural events for the Day of Separated Families will be held,
and deliver remarks to welcome participants.
3. Q&A
Q) As North Korea has made fewer harsh criticism against the South
recently, what is the Unification Ministry’s take on such remarks
towards President Yoon as reported by the KCNA today?
A) The fact that North Korea mobilized an unidentified individual to
make unreasonable accusations against the president of a country
demonstrates the vulgarity of the North Korean regime, which lacks
even basic courtesy and common sense, and such remarks are not worth
commenting on.
Q) As North Korea appears to give the impression that its harvest
has improved this year, how does the Ministry assess the food
situation in North Korea?
A) As it is the beginning of the fall harvest season, we understand
that the North’s harvest is at a similar level to previous years based
on various circumstances. We will continue to monitor the food
situation in North Korea together with relevant agencies.