Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Cho Tai-young
May 8, 2014 14:30 KST


Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have one announcement to make.

The fifth meeting of the Joint Economic Committee between the Republic of Korea and Uruguay will take place in Seoul on May 13.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ROK-Uruguay diplomatic relations, and the Joint Economic Committee will be convened on this occasion.

The level of the Joint Economic Committee meeting has been upgraded to the vice-ministerial level. So, the ROK and the Uruguayan head delegates to the meeting will be Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul and his Uruguayan counterpart Luis Porto, respectively.

For the upcoming meeting, Vice Minister Porto will visit the ROK from May 12 through 15.

The two countries will take the opportunity of the meeting to review their overall cooperative ties in the economy sector.

In particular, the two sides will discuss ways for Korean companies to enter the Uruguayan market as well as bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

The upcoming meeting is expected to help solidify the bilateral ties that mark their 50th anniversary.

During Vice Minister Porto’s visit to the ROK, the Uruguayan government will send a cultural performance troupe to the ROK to stage performances in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and to give ROK people a taste of Uruguayan culture.

This is all for my opening statement.


[Q&A]

Q: I have a question regarding the ROK-Japan director-general-level meeting, which I understand will take place in Tokyo this month. Is it the position of the ROK government that it will discuss the issue of sexual slavery victims drafted for Japan’s Imperial Armed Forces in the meeting again this month? Or is it considering covering other issues as well?

A: To reiterate, the issue of sexual slavery victims should be resolved as soon as possible. The first round of the director-general-level meeting on this issue already took place. The ROK government hopes that the Japanese government will engage in the second round with a very sincere attitude for the round to be fruitful.

Q: Has the date been set for the director-general-level meeting, which you said a little ago will take place in Tokyo?

A: I have not heard yet that it has been set.

Q: Will it take place next week?

A: Again, I have not heard yet that the date has been set.

Q: The Foreign Ministry mentioned yesterday that it was considering providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, which had been hit by landslide, and that it would announce its decision later in the day at the earliest, which has yet to happen. Please share with us what you have in this regard, such as what has been discussed.

A: The landslide in Afghanistan left many missing or displaced, which is a very sad thing. I will check on the ROK government’s assistance plan for Afghanistan immediately after this briefing and let you know.

Q: In his press conference in New York today, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se reportedly mentioned that should North Korea press ahead with a nuclear test, it could be seen as a direct challenge to China. Did he say so literally?

A: I read the press report as well, although I had no chance to check whether he used those particular words or expressions. I believe, though, that you are all aware of the effect to which he made those remark. I also believe that you must be well aware that the Chinese government has been making clear its opposition to North Korea’s nuclear programs.

Q: The ROK government appears to have concluded that the unmanned drones recently found in the country were all sent from North Korea. It is my understanding that, previously, the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs made remarks at the National Assembly that this issue could be addressed on the international level by the UN Security Council and/or its North Korea Sanctions Committee. Please tell us what other position or plans the ROK government has, if any, in this regard.

A: To my understanding, the Ministry of National Defense announced today that the drones issue constitutes a clear military provocation, as it is in violation of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the inter-Korean Non-aggression Agreement. I will check whether it constitutes a violation of any relevant international agreements, and if so, what international agreements it violates.

Q: The prosecution is reportedly considering requesting the Foreign Ministry to invalidate the passport of Yoo Hyeok-gi, son of Yoo Byung-eun, the former Chairman of Semo Group who is suspected of being the de facto owner of Chonghaejin Marine Co. that operated the Sewol that recently sank. Has the Foreign Ministry received any request or official letter from the prosecution?

A: Not that I have heard of. I will check and let you know.

In terms of the matters that I said during this briefing I will check on, I will do so and let you know after the briefing.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.


* unofficial translation