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Press Releases 시작부분 입니다.

Press Releases

ROKG position on flood prevention measures along the Imjin River

ROKG position on flood prevention measures along the Imjin River June 27, 2025 The Lee Jae Myung administration firmly recognizes that protecting the lives and safety of our people is the most fundamental duty of the state. Prior notice from the North regarding dam discharges is directly related to the safety and lives of our citizens residing in border areas. Joint response to natural disasters is a humanitarian matter. The South and the North have previously reached multiple agreements on cooperation to prevent flooding along the Imjin River. In this regard, the ROK Government requests the North to provide advance notification of any dam discharge during the monsoon season as a humanitarian measure to help prevent flood damage in the inter-Korean border region. The Government will continue to maintain close coordination among relevant agencies and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of border area residents. * Unofficial translation

2025.06.27

Press Releases

Unification Ministry’s Stance on the Adoption of Resolution on Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK at the 58th Session of UNHRC

Unification Ministry’s Stance on the Adoption of Resolution on Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK at the 58th Session of UNHRC April 4, 2025 The ROK Government welcomes the adoption by consensus of the resolution on the situation of human rights in the DPRK at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which was co-sponsored by 54 countries including the ROK. The ROK Government is deeply concerned over the ongoing systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations in the North. We urge the North to take all necessary measures to improve its human rights situation, including actively addressing the issues of abductees, detainees and unrepatriated POWs and ending the inhumane treatment of forcibly repatriated defectors. In particular, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted an opinion on March 13 stating that the North’s detention of missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil constitutes arbitrary detention. Accordingly, the ROK Government calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our nationals. The ROK Government also expresses concern over the state of forced labor in the North, as well as the inhumane conditions resulting from the North’s troop deployment to Russia. The ROK Government will continue to work closely with the international community to achieve meaningful progress in improving human rights in the North. * Unofficial translation

2025.04.04

Press Releases

Unification Spokesperson’s Statement on the Opinion Adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Calling for the Immediate Release of Missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil

Unification Spokesperson’s Statement on the Opinion Adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Calling for the Immediate Release of Missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil March 14, 2025 The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) adopted an opinion on March 13 stating that the North’s detention of missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil constitutes arbitrary detention. The opinion is published and made public on the WGAD website. The UN Working Group concluded that the deprivation of liberty of these missionaries violates relevant articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Working Group requested the North to immediately release the missionaries, provide compensation and other reparations, ensure an independent investigation, and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of their rights, all in accordance with international law. The ROK Government has continuously urged the North to immediately return missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil, who have been illegally detained for over a decade. It has also worked with the international community to resolve this issue. The adoption of this opinion by the UN Working Group is an official confirmation by the international community that the North’s detention of these individuals is a clear violation of international law. The ROK Government strongly condemns North Korea’s illegal actions once again, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our nationals. The North must take seriously the grave warning conveyed through the opinion adopted by the UN Working Group, accept the demands of the international community, and implement them without delay. The ROK Government, while continuing to prioritize the protection of our nationals, will clearly convey to the North its firm commitment to the immediate release of the three missionaries. The Government will also strive to resolve the issue as soon as possible by cooperating with countries including the U.S. and U.K., as well as international religious organizations and groups. * Unofficial translation

2025.03.14

Press Releases

Ministry of Unification launches North Korean Human Rights and Security Global Young Leadership Program

Expanding Global Awareness of North Korean Human Rights Through Program Tailored for Foreigners Ministry of Unification launches North Korean Human Rights and Security Global Young Leadership Program February 28, 2025 The Ministry of Unification is initiating the North Korean Human Rights and Security Global Young Leadership Program (NKGYL) to further raise understanding of North Korean human rights and security among foreigners and to secure broader international support. The NKGYL is a program tailored to foreigners, offering online English lectures and offline training sessions on issues concerning North Korean human rights and security. The program stems from the recognition that while the younger generation around the world show keen interest in North Korean human rights, sufficient English-language content remains limited. The online lectures will be made available to all those interested in North Korean human rights through the newly created YouTube channel named “NKGYL.” The first lecture will be released on February 28, followed by eight additional lectures produced last year as a pilot project. To facilitate foreign viewers’ understanding of North Korean human rights and security, lectures will be delivered in English (or with English subtitles) by distinguished experts, including Minister of Unification Kim Yung Ho, Chairman of North Korean Human Rights Promotion Committee Lee Jung Hoon, former Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights Lee Shin-wha, member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Baek Buhm-Suk, and President of the National Institute for Unification Education Ko Young-hwan. Participants who watch all online lectures and score higher than 80 on a quiz uploaded on Google Classroom will be awarded a completion certificate issued by the Minister of Unification. Additionally, to sustain interest in North Korean human rights, security and unification, the Ministry will gift its English publications to a number of participants selected through raffle draw. Meanwhile, 10-20 foreigners who successfully complete the online course will be selected for offline training sessions, held twice a year, in conjunction with the Global Academy Unificaiton program at the National Institute for Unification Education. The Global Academy Unificaiton is a program tailored to international students and foreign university students in South Korea, featuring unification and security field visits, offline lectures and experiential classes. Through offline training, the program seeks to encourage networking among foreigners and to expand interest and consensus on improving North Korean human rights. In cases where selected participants cannot attend offline training due to residing overseas, alternative participation options such as an online meeting with the Minister and/or Vice Minister of Unification are being considered. The Ministry of Unification anticipates that this program will help the international community better understand the North Korean human rights issue and expand international support for promoting the human rights of North Korean residents as a universal value.

2025.02.28

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Press Briefings 시작부분 입니다.

Press Briefings

Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Yoon Min Ho

Date: Monday, November 10, 2025 Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M. 1. Minister’s Schedule Minister Chung Dongyoung will sit down for a meeting with the Ambassador of Thailand to the ROK today at 11 A.M. On November 11, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will attend the cabinet meeting. On November 12 and 13, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will attend the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts for non-economic ministries to examine next year’s budget bills. On November 14, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will sit down for a meeting with the Ambassador of Poland to the ROK. 2. Vice Minister’s Schedule Vice Minister Kim Nam Jung will deliver opening remarks at a peace forum with border area residents held at Camp Greaves today at 11 A.M. On November 13, at 8 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the vice ministers’ conference. On November 16, at 9 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will deliver opening remarks at the 2025 Peace Unification Marathon. 3. Q&A Q. On Saturday, KCNA issued a press statement by Minister of National Defence No Kwang Chol. How does the Unification Ministry evaluate the situation, particularly in light of concerns that North Korea may escalate provocations over the year-end and early next year? A. With regards to North Korean defence minister No Kwang Chol’s statement, the ROK-U.S. joint exercises are routine defensive measures carried out each year to deter conflict and preserve peace. The ROK Government remains committed to advancing peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula in a calm and consistent manner. I will refrain from speculating on potential future developments. Q. The Unification Minister reportedly stated that adjustments to next year’s ROK-U.S. joint exercises are unavoidable. Could you explain whether these remarks reflect discussions with relevant agencies or were made personally? In what context was this statement made? A. The Minister’s comments are seen as reflecting the broader significance of the ROK-U.S. joint exercises, both in military terms and in their impact on inter-Korean relations and the Korean Peninsula’s overall situation. I would also like to note that relevant ministries and agencies are maintaining close communication on this issue. Q. You mentioned that relevant ministries are in close communication. Does this mean that consultations on adjustments to the joint exercises are already underway or planned? A. Specific consultations are not taking place at this time. The intended point was that foreign affairs and national security agencies maintain regular and close communication. Q. As I understand, the Minister issued a message of condolence on the passing of Kim Yong Nam last week. Has there been any developments or communications from the North since then? A. There has been no response from the North.

2025.11.10

Press Briefings

Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam

Date: Monday, November 3, 2025 Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M. 1. Minister’s Schedule Minister Chung Dongyoung delivered opening remarks at the first leadership course for Unification Ministry officials today at 10 A.M. At 2 P.M., Minister Chung will deliver congratulatory remarks at a strategic forum discussing border area development held at the National Assembly. On November 4, Minister Chung will attend the address by President Lee Jae Myung proposing the Government’s budget plan for 2026 at 10 A.M., followed by the cabinet meeting at 2 P.M. On November 5, Minister Chung will sit down for a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to the ROK at 10 A.M., followed by a meeting with the visiting delegation from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) at 3 P.M. On November 6 and 7, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will attend the inquiry session on policy of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget & Accounts. 2. Vice Minister’s Schedule Vice Minister Kim Nam Jung will deliver congratulatory remarks at an event hosted by the Central Association for National Unification of Korea today at 2 P.M. On November 6, at 7:30 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the vice ministers’ conference. 3. Q&A Q. After the announcement that the ROK-China summit addressed denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, North Korea issued a statement criticizing it as a “pipedream which can never be realized.” What is the Unification Ministry’s position on this? A. Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a shared goal of the international community. The ROK Government continues to engage closely with key partners through dialogue and cooperation. Q. Would you say that China appeared somewhat reserved or passive on the issue of denuclearization during the ROK-China summit? A. The Ministry of Unification will not offer any additional assessment regarding the ROK-China summit. Q. Despite Kim Jong Un’s recent public activities, North Korea has yet to respond to President Trump’s overtures for dialogue. How does the Ministry assess North Korea’s silence and its decision to only report on Kim’s activities? A. During his APEC trip, President Trump extended multiple proposals to meet with president of state affairs Kim Jong Un and reaffirmed his strong willingness to engage for peace on the Korean Peninsula. As the window of opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula and DPRK-U.S. dialogue remains open, we hope the North will make a strategic decision and not let that opportunity slip away. The ROK Government will remain consistent in its efforts to help restart DPRK-U.S. dialogue and to restore inter-Korean relations. With regards to President Trump’s proposal, the North has yet to issue an official response. The Ministry will refrain from making any assumptions about the reason for its continued silence. Q. Reports say that both North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine expressed their intention to defect to the ROK. Has the Unification Ministry been able to verify this, and is there any follow-up action underway regarding their possible transfer? A. The Unification Ministry has no information to confirm or share on the matter at this time.

2025.11.03

Press Briefings

Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam

Date: Monday, October 27, 2025 Time: 10:30-10:34 A.M. 1. Minister’s Schedule Minister Chung Dongyoung will sit down for a meeting with the Vietnamese Ambassador to the ROK today at 3 P.M. On October 28, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will attend the National Assembly’s inspection of state administration for the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. On October 29, at 2 P.M., Minister Chung will join the civil defense fire evacuation drill. 2. Vice Minister’s Schedule Vice Minister Kim Nam Jung will attend the cabinet meeting in place of Minister Chung on October 28 at 9 A.M. At 10 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the National Assembly’s inspection of state administration for the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. On October 29, at 2 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will join the civil defense fire evacuation drill. At 3:30 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the awards ceremony of a national contest to promote peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. At 7 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will deliver a lecture at the Korea Peace Studies School arranged by the Korea Peace Forum. On October 30, at 6:30 P.M., Vice Minister Kim will deliver congratulatory remarks at a course completion ceremony held at the National Institute of Unification Education. On October 31, at 9 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the vice ministers’ conference. 3. Q&A Q. President Trump recently expressed that he would like to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Could you share the Government’s position or assessment regarding such remarks? Also, some observers suggest that foreign minister Choe Son Hui’s trip abroad may have lowered the likelihood of a North Korea-U.S. summit. What is your view on this? A. It is my understanding that the National Security Office has issued its position regarding President Trump’s proposal. That said, I would like to note that the forthcoming APEC Summit could serve as a meaningful occasion for potential dialogue between the leaders of the North and the United States. As for speculation that foreign minister Choe Son Hui’s visit to Russia may have reduced prospects for a DPRK-U.S. summit, the ROK Government will not offer any assessment at this stage. Q. Has the Government identified any details regarding the agenda for talks between North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov? For example, could Kim Jong Un’s possible visit to Russia be discussed? A. Ahead of this trip, foreign minister Choe Son Hui visited Russia in November 2024, while Foreign Minister Lavrov visited the North this past July. Since the North and Russia began engaging in military cooperation in relation to the war in Ukraine, dialogue between the two sides has increased significantly. However, the ROK Government has no information to confirm the detailed agenda of their discussions. Q. The Unification Minister recently referred to maintenance activities around Panmunjeom amid speculation about a potential DPRK-U.S. meeting. Have there been any new indications or developments observed since then? A. We understand that some cleaning work was observed near the North’s side of Panmunjeom over the weekend. However, this appears to be part of their routine maintenance.

2025.10.27

Press Briefings

Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M. 1. Minister’s Schedule Minister Chung Dongyoung will attend the cabinet meeting on October 21 at 2 P.M. The Minister’s congratulatory remarks for the Korean Bar Association’s academic seminar scheduled for 2:30 P.M. on October 21 will be delivered by the Director-General for Unification Policy. On October 23, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will deliver congratulatory video remarks at the 6th International Academic Forum co-hosted by UNESCO and Gyeoremal Keunsajeon (Grand Dictionary of the Korean People’s Language). At 11 A.M., Minister Chung will pay a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of the Seoul Archdiocese of the Catholic Church of Korea. 2. Vice Minister’s Schedule Vice Minister Kim Nam Jung will deliver congratulatory remarks at a forum hosted by the Institute for National Security Strategy on October 22 at 1:30 P.M. On October 23, at 10 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the vice ministers’ conference. On October 25, at 10:30 A.M., Vice Minister Kim will attend the first anniversary ceremony of the Unification Plus Center in Gangwon Province. 3. Q&A Q. The recent CNN report indicates potential signs of resumed dialogue or unofficial contacts between North Korea and the United States. There was also a report suggesting that Panmunjeom tours arranged by the United Nations Command (UNC) may be rescheduled. Could the Unification Ministry provide an update on its understanding of current North Korea-U.S. dialogue or related developments? A. Regarding the first question, the National Security Office has already released its position over the past weekend. The ROK Government has consistently expressed its active support for DPRK-U.S. dialogue to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. As for the Panmunjeom special tours, no tours led by the Unification Ministry are scheduled from late October to early November. Further inquiries concerning special tours should be directed to the UNC. Q. You mentioned that the National Security Office has already issued a statement on the possible resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue. To clarify, should we interpret this as meaning that there are no visible signs of dialogue resuming between North Korea and the U.S.? A. It is as stated in the National Security Office’s press guidance. There are no additional details to share at this time. That said, the Minister has elaborated in a recent interview on relevant developments based on open source information. Q. I would like to ask why special tours to Panmunjeom are not conducted during this period. Is there any particular reason? Some speculate this may be related to a possible North Korea-U.S. summit. A. Please direct inquiries regarding the reason for that matter to the UNC. Q. The Unification Ministry has no additional comment on the reasons for suspension? A. That is correct. Q. Has the specific duration of suspension been determined, or is it simply from late October to early November? A. The Ministry would also refer you to the UNC for this matter. As Panmunjeom is under the jurisdiction of the UNC, it holds full authority over special tours.

2025.10.20

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