First, here are the key events for this week.
Today, November 6th at 2 p.m., the Minister of Unification will hold a tea meeting with the press corps in his office to mark his 100th day in office.
On Tuesday, November 7th, at 10 a.m., the Minister will attend a departmental review by the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.
At the same time, the Minister’s speech at the ‘4th UNESCO·Gyeoremal Keun Sajeon International Academic Forum’ held at Euljiro Ferrum Tower will be replaced by a video message due to his attendance at the National Assembly.
On November 8th, at 10 a.m., the Minister will attend a departmental review by the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.
On Thursday, November 9th, at 9 a.m., the Minister will attend the comprehensive policy questioning of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.
At the same time, the Minister’s speech at the ‘2023 India-Pacific Vision Forum’ held in Yeouido will be delivered by the Director of Unification Policy due to the Minister’s attendance at the National Assembly.
From 10 a.m., the Minister will attend the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.
On Friday, November 10th, the Minister plans to attend the State Council meeting at 8 a.m. and then the comprehensive policy questioning of the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Committee at 10 a.m.
Due to the National Assembly schedule, the Minister’s speech at the seminar of the Association of Families of Korean War Abductees, which is held at Kookmin University at 1:30 p.m., will be delivered by the Vice Minister.
That’s all the announcements we have for now.
If you have any questions about current issues, I will answer them.
[Questions·Answers]
※ Please understand that the content not confirmed due to the non-use of the microphone is marked with asterisks (***).
<질문> I’m curious if there are any specific plans or schedules for the resumption of the Panmunjom tour in consultation with the UN Command. When is the Ministry of Unification aiming to resume it?
<답변> As you know, there was an incident of a U.S. soldier defecting to the North on July 18, and since then, the Panmunjom tour has been temporarily suspended by the UN Command until further notice. We will discuss the necessary practical procedures with related organizations such as the UN Command regarding the resumption of the Panmunjom tour. However, I would like to say that it is difficult to predict the exact timing of the resumption at this point.
<질문> How does the Ministry of Unification analyze the significance of North Korea’s designation of Missile Industry Day?
<답변> As you may have seen in the media, North Korea held a meeting of the executive committee of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly and designated November 18th as Missile Industry Day. For reference, North Korea marked November 29th of last year as ‘Rocket Industry Day’ on its calendar, but there were no special events, and it disappeared without any explanation from the following year. Therefore, we will not prejudge North Korea’s intention to designate Missile Industry Day and will keep an eye on related trends in the future.
However, we cannot help but express our disappointment and disgust at North Korea’s attempt to commemorate an act that threatens South Korea and the international community by blatantly violating international norms such as the UN Security Council resolution prohibiting ballistic missile development.
<질문> I have a question that came to mind after listening to your answer. Around this time last year, Kim Jong Un’s daughter accompanied him during the ICBM test launch. So, I’m wondering if you expect any messages related to the succession structure or the fourth generation succession to be included in the new holiday they created.
<답변> First, as I mentioned in the answer to the previous question, there may be various intentions of North Korea, but we will not prejudge and will keep an eye on future trends.
<끝>
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