Date: Monday, May 24, 2021
Time: 10:30-10:37 A.M.
1. Unification Ministry’s stance on the outcome of the ROK-U.S. summit
Leaders of the ROK and U.S. reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue,
based on previous commitments such as the Panmunjom Declaration and
Singapore Joint Statement, are essential to achieve the complete
denuclearization and establish permanent peace on the Korean
Peninsula. President Biden also expressed his support for inter-Korean
dialogue, engagement, and cooperation.
These statements provide an invaluable opportunity to once again
advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
Based on the outcomes of the ROK-U.S. summit, the Unification
Ministry will make utmost efforts to restore inter-Korean relations
and restart the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
We urge the North to revive the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration
and Singapore Joint Statement, and look forward to their active and
positive response toward dialogue and cooperation.
2. Unification Education Week to run from May 24 to 30
The Ministry of Unification will hold the 9th Unification Education
Week from May 24 to 30. Various unification education activities will
run under three key concepts: Future, Online, and Culture and Arts.
The opening ceremony is being held at the National Institute for
Unification Education from 10 A.M. Minister Lee In-young delivered
congratulatory remarks at the event, followed by video remarks by the
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae.
On May 26, Minister Lee and Vice-Minister Choi Young Joon will serve
as one-day unification teachers at Chungju High School and Dankook
University respectively. Later in the day, Minister Lee will hold a
discussion on peace and unification with those in their 20s and 30s
living in Chungcheong Province.
On May 27, the National Institute for Unification Education and the
Korean Association of Lifelong Learning Cities will co-host an
international webinar on peace and unification. Germany’s adult
education association Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband will join the
seminar and offer insight into the social integration experience of
Germany and its implications for our society. Minister Lee will
deliver congratulatory remarks at the event, and sit down for a
meeting with attendees after the event.
The Unification Education Week offers many more programs, and
details can be found on its website (www.uniweek2021.kr).
3. Q&A
Q. A private group calling for the promotion of inter-Korean
economic cooperation is holding a press conference outside the
Government Complex. What is the Ministry’s stance regarding the May 24
sanctions measures?
A. The Government explained last year on the occasion of the 10th
anniversary of the May 24 measures, that the sanctions have lost their
intended effect following various flexibilities and exceptions in past
implementations, adding that it poses no obstacle in pursuing
inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. This position remains unchanged.
Q. Does this mean that the Ministry has no plans to communicate with
the group that is holding the press conference?
A. The Government is well aware of the difficulties that
inter-Korean exchange and cooperation organizations are facing due to
the May 24 measures, and have regularly arranged meetings with these
groups. The Ministry, while listening to their various requests, have
pursued a wide range of damage support measures such as providing
special loans from the inter-Korean cooperation fund, offering
emergency operation grants, adjusting loan interest rates and
extending repayment periods.
Despite such efforts, organizations are still experiencing
difficulties. The Government will continue to communicate with and
actively listen to their troubles while finding ways to support these organizations.
