Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kwang-il
Apr. 9, 2015 15:00 KST


Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have two announcements to make.

First, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will meet with UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who will visit the Republic of Korea to attend the seventh World Water Forum, at the Foreign Ministry on April 13.

In the meeting, the two sides will engage in an extensive exchange of views on issues concerning the UN and the Korean Peninsula; review the progress in the ROK-UN cooperation on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN; and explore the way forward for the bilateral ties.

Moving on to the second and last announcement, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul will deliver a lecture on “the Korean Peninsula’s future in the changing order of Northeast Asia” at the World Journalists Conference to take place at Korea Press Center, Seoul, on April 13 and have luncheon with participating journalists.

The World Journalists Conference is hosted by the Journalists Association of Korea, and the forthcoming round will be third of its kind.

At the event to take place from April 12 through 18, some 100 journalists from 60-odd countries will engage in a discussion on “the 70th Anniversary of National Division: Think about Unification on the Korean Peninsula.” They will also make a tour of Seoul, Busan and Daegu to have diverse cultural experiences and cover different parts of Korea.

The conference to be attended by journalists from numerous countries is expected to serve as a good opportunity to help foreign journalists learn more about the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the need for its unification.

This is all for my opening statement.


[Q&A]

Q: Japan uploaded records substantiating Japan’s alleged rule over part of the Korean Peninsula -- the so-called “Imna theory” -- on the website of the country’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, while intensifying relevant claims in the newly revised middle school textbooks. Such Japanese moves have sparked speculation that the country has further distorted its ancient history. When and how did the ROK government learn about these moves by Japan? What measures does it have to take in response?

A: Back in 2011, the Japanese government authorized middle school textbooks containing similarly distorted information, in response to which the ROK government strongly demanded a rectification. The ROK government deems it regrettable that despite that demand from the ROK back then, the newly authorized textbooks still contain that information. As I understand it, the Imna theory has already and widely been viewed by Japan’s academic circle as groundless. The ROK government, after an interagency analysis of the matter, will once again take issue with it and demand a rectification of the Japanese government.

Q: Has the ROK checked whether the new textbooks contain the Imna theory?

A: Yes. To my knowledge, the new textbooks contain the information, which the ROK government demanded a correction of back in 2011.

Q: Did First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yong express regret over this when Japanese Ambassador to the ROK Besshow was called in?

A: Let me check on that. We let you know about the outcome of the meeting between First Vice Minister Cho Tae-yong and Japanese Ambassador Bessho. In terms of whether this issue was raised in the meeting, though, I will double-check it and let you know.

Q: I have a further question. You have just mentioned that the ROK government had already demanded a correction of the information at issue back in 2011. As that information still remains intact despite the demand, there is expected to be a stronger demand. What demand will the ROK government make of the Japanese government?

A: Basically speaking, it is a matter that we should first have historians conduct an academic analysis on and then take issue with accordingly. It is not a matter for the ROK Foreign Ministry to make a judgment on and handle. It is a matter that requires a detailed analysis to be conducted in cooperation with relevant organizations.

Q: In his meeting with journalists today, Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo spoke in detail about this matter. Did his announcement of the position come as a result of coordination with the Foreign Ministry?

A: I deem it inappropriate to tell you right here whether there was an internal consultation about it. As you may be aware, the Prime Minister oversees government affairs, which means that he can make such announcements based on his own judgment. It appears inappropriate for the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson to tell you whether the Prime Minister had prior consultations with the Foreign Ministry about his action.

Q: What I am asking you is this: As you have just mentioned, the Prime Minister supervises government affairs. So, can we construe the position stated by the Prime Minister as one that is the result of government coordination? In other words, is the announced position that of the ROK government?

A: I am not so sure exactly what he said at the meeting with reporters. According to what I learned before coming down here, he mentioned that the Imna theory is a very important matter, although it may seem to be a small one, adding that the ROK will sternly take issue with the Japanese move after a detailed review with relevant organizations. I think that is the gist of what he said, which is in line with what I have just told you.

It is impossible for me to know his exact remarks due to the time issue, although I will check them.

Q: At your last press briefing, you mentioned that the ROK and Japan are seeking to hold a security dialogue. Has there been any progress in that regard?

A: The things remain as they were back then. Relevant details are under coordination, with nothing finalized yet.

Q: Two of the survivors of the civilian killings that occurred at an ROK military base during the Vietnam War are on a visit to the ROK to testify on the killings allegedly committed by the ROK military back then. Meanwhile, a group of Vietnam War veterans in the ROK, claiming that the killings are a fabrication, opposed the photo exhibition on the Vietnam War that the visiting Vietnamese were scheduled to attend and thereby hindered the event from progressing as planned.

Aside from these Vietnamese, many others in Vietnam testified about the civilian killings by the ROK military, and former military commander Choi Myeong-sin also admitted to there having been a few scandalous incidents during the war. What is the ROK government’s position in this regard? Does it admit to the civilian killings?

A: I am sorry, but I believe that you should inquire about that of the Ministry of National Defense. I do not consider it a question that the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson can answer at a press briefing.

Q: During the Vietnamese President’s visit to the ROK in 2011, then ROK President Kim Dae-jung apologized for, albeit unintentionally, inflicting pain on Vietnamese during the tragic war and extended consolation to the people. During his visit to Vietnam in 2004, then ROK President Roh Moo-hyun mentioned that the ROK people owed an apology to the Vietnamese and sincerely wished Vietnam success. The remarks by these two Presidents probably reflected the ROK government’s position, which I don’t believe the Foreign Ministry had not been involved in setting.

Then, can we say that the expressions in these remarks -- such as apology and consolation -- were used in referring to the alleged civilian killings as well?

A: Let me start answering your question by saying that if the Presidents indeed made those particular remarks, you should understand them in their overall context. I do not deem that I am in a position to judge and tell you right here which parts of those remarks were used to refer to what.

I think any judgment on matters that occurred in the course of a war should be made after inquiry to the Ministry of National Defense. There is this “Institute for Military History” at the Ministry of National Defense for that. I will consult with the Ministry about this and let you know if there is anything to. Anyway, I am not prepared to answer such questions right here right now.

Q: I have one last question in that regard. During her visit to Vietnam in September 2013, President Park Geun-hye paid tribute and laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh President Mausoleum, without expressing regret or apology at the time. According to a press report issued back then, a high-level official of the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae called the President’s action a strong gesture of reconciliation. I would like to know whether the Park Geun-hye government will state a more detailed position regarding the ROK’s participation in the Vietnam War.

A: That is a hypothetical question. I do not deem that I can tell you right here right now whether that will happen or not. As you must be well aware and understand, I am not in a position to discuss or comment on matters beyond the scope permitted me as Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Q: Well, I believe that you are well aware of the fact that in every administration, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry is considered the mouthpiece of the government.

A: Yes, I am.

Q: The Prime Minister held a press conference and said that he will form a task force between the government and political parties. Has the ROK government decided to make all-out efforts to respond to issues concerning its relations with Japan more strongly and in a systemized, specific and organized manner, instead of deciding how to respond every time there is a case, which was the case in the past?

A: The creation of a T/F overseeing the ROK’s diplomacy toward Japan is one of the conclusions from the consultation between the government and political parties held yesterday. I think you are asking about that. To my understanding, the issue will be given careful consideration. The issue was raised just yesterday, so if there is a need to create the T/F, details on that will be further examined. Besides that, there is nothing I can say here.

On the ROK’s stance on its diplomacy toward Japan, the ROK has always taken a firm and stern attitude on Japan’s history issues. The ROK’s position has been that while maintaining such a firm and stern attitude on history issues, the ROK pursues cooperation on issues that can benefit both, including North Korea’s nuclear issue and other security-related issues, economy, culture and people-to-people exchange.

Q: You said the other day that if there is a need to take any other action besides summoning a high-level official of the Japanese Embassy and issuing a statement criticizing Japan’s move, the ROK will review it. What action could that be?

A: That seems to be what I and other Foreign Ministry official said. The Foreign Ministry summoned an official of the Japanese Embassy and expressed its position, and also issued a statement. However, such issues as history textbooks and Japan’s claim that it controlled the southern part of Korea in ancient times are not the issues that the Foreign Ministry can announce its position on immediately. If the Ministry thinks that obviously there is much of a problem, it consults with historians and agencies handling history issues. After that, when the situation comes where the Ministry can present very specific and clear grounds, it calls for corrective measures. This has been and will be the process the Ministry follows.

As I remember it, I gave the same answer regarding the Dokdo issue. If there is any other action that the Foreign Ministry needs to take, it will be reviewed down the road. I would not predict whether more action will be taken or not. As you know, if there is a need for additional measures, a consultation with relevant agencies will be necessary. So, the Foreign Ministry will continue to review this issue in a calm, firm and stern manner.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.


*unofficial translation