Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Cho Tai-young
Apr. 29, 2014 14:30 KST


Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have one announcement to make.

On the sidelines of their ongoing 2014 meeting, the Consuls-General will hold one-on-one meetings with Korean entrepreneurs.

This event will take place at Lotte Hotel, downtown Seoul, on April 30, co-hosted by four business groups.

As you may know, the four business groups are the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business.

At the event, the Consuls-General will hold one-on-one meetings with 140-odd representatives from about 80 Korean companies operating or preparing to do business overseas.

These meetings have taken place since 2008, and this year’s round will mark the sixth of their kind.

This is all for my opening statement.


[Q&A]

Q: There are press reports out there that Chinese President Xi Jinping could visit the ROK in the first half of this year for a summit with his ROK counterpart. Please share with us the progress made in this regard.

A: As you may be well aware, the ROK government has invited Chinese President Xi to the ROK. I understand that he has expressed his hope to visit the ROK this year. So, the governments of the two countries are currently in consultation on relevant details. However, we are not yet at a point where we can tell you the approximate timing of his visit.

Q: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly paid respects at the mourning altar set up in Tokyo for the victims of the sinking of the ferry “Sewol.” What does the ROK government, particularly the Foreign Ministry, make of his action?

A: The ROK government is grateful that Prime Minister Abe and other leading government officials of Japan visited the ROK Embassy in Japan on April 28 to pay their respects at the mourning altar set up there for the victims of the sinking of the Sewol ferry and offered consolation to their bereaved families. By doing so, they relayed the willingness of the Japanese people to share the grief of the victims in the tragic accident and their families.

Q: I have a further question regarding the visit to the ROK by the Chinese President. You mentioned that you are not yet at a point where you can say when he will visit the country. Are you currently not ruling out the possibility of his visit in the first half of this year?

A: I cannot give you such specific details at this point. Theoretically speaking, we are not ruling out that possibility. Yet, we are not at a point where we can tell you approximately when the Chinese President will visit the ROK.

Q: What does the ROK Foreign Ministry know at this point about North Korea’s preparations for a nuclear test?

A: As already explained to you journalists by a relevant government agency, North Korea is said to stand ready to conduct a nuclear test any time. As I understand it, though, the ROK government has not gathered information indicating that North Korea has made a decision to go ahead with it. Under the circumstances, the ROK government is closely monitoring the situation. On a side note, let me reiterate this: North Korea should change its current pattern of behavior. Its path forward does not lie in conducting a nuclear test and pursuing nuclear programs. Let me stress all over again that the path beneficial to North Korea lies in putting its top priority on improving the livelihood of its people and halting actions that pose a threat to peace and stability in the region.

Q: Can your remarks be construed as indicating that no signs of an imminent nuclear test have been detected in North Korea?

A: Well. The ROK government deems that North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test any time. In terms of whether there are signs of an imminent nuclear test, I will reserve my judgment.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.


* unofficial translation