Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

February 13, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with her Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, at the Foreign Ministry on February 14.

The two Ministers will exchange views on the relations between the two countries, substantive cooperation, and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe.

Moving on to the next topic, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong will visit the ROK from February 24 to 26 to attend the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in her capacity as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative.

Special representative Liu will attend the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics on February 25, and meet with members of a delegation from China to offer words of encouragement.

It is unusual for China to send the President’s special representative both to the opening and closing ceremonies of a Winter Olympics. This is seen as demonstrating that the Chinese side places importance on the ROK-China relations, and is committed to supporting a successful hosting of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games.

This is all for my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: During an in-flight interview on his way back to the US, Vice President Pence said that the “maximum pressure campaign is going to continue and intensify. But if you want to talk, we’ll talk.” Can it be seen as lowering the bar for talks?

A: The ROK and the US have closely worked together all along to bring North Korea to the table for dialogues over denuclearization in order to achieve the goal of denuclearizing the North. We think the remarks from the US side that you have just asked about reflect the position.

Q: You said that Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong will visit the ROK, and I would like to know her schedule during the visit. Is she going to meet with the Foreign Minister?

A: I think there will be another opportunity to give you information on her schedule, once it is finalized.

Q: Some are saying that before and after the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, there were frequent diplomatic engagements with North Korea, including the ROK President’s luncheon with the North Korean delegation, but the ROK’s engagements with the US, Chinese and Japanese leaders were less frequent. What is the Foreign Ministry’s position on that?

A: I do not think it is appropriate to say that we neglected particular countries, simply comparing how many luncheons and dinners we had, or how much time we spent together. The schedule of each delegation participating in the Olympics is a matter that needs to be looked at comprehensively, following consultations on protocol practices or how much time each delegation has.

It was important for top-level officials who attended the Olympics to not only attend bilateral meetings or a reception, but also meet their countries’ athletes to offer words of encouragement. I can tell you that we treated them with appropriate protocol and respect, taking that into account.

Q: Is anyone being considered as a possible envoy to the US?

A: I do not have anything to share with you.

Q: There have been reports that in the ROK-Japan summit meeting held recently, Prime Minister Abe said once again that the agreement on the “comfort women” issue should be implemented. What is the ROK government’s position on that?

There is a stance that the ROK government had taken until the announcement made late last year on the results of its review of the agreement on the “comfort women” issue. It was a stance about the situation where most Koreans do not accept the agreement, and what the government will do in the future to advance the ROK-Japan relations. What is the government’s position right now on Japan’s demand that the agreement be fulfilled?

A: As the ROK government has said many times, we think it is important for the countries concerned to make efforts to restore the honor and dignity of the victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery and heal their wounded hearts in order to find a genuine solution to the “comfort women” issue.

On further details, including the future of the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation, as I have already said, the government’s position remains unchanged that it will devise follow-up measures after gathering opinions from parties concerned, including the victims.

Q: There are speculations that the US will announce new sanctions on North Korea after the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. Does the ROK government have any specific information? Or is there anything the government is consulting on with the US?

A: I think the US side will make an announcement on its new sanctions on North Korea.

Q: I would like to know if the US has consulted with the ROK on its new sanctions on North Korea. Also, the VOA reported that when Vice President Pence was flying on Air Force Two, an assistant accompanying him made remarks to the effect that the Vice President’s seat at the opening ceremony was not the one they wanted. Has the US side asked the ROK to make sure that the Vice President does not encounter North Korean officials at the opening ceremony?

A: On your second question, there have been many reports on that, but some media outlets reported that an US official said that the Vice President did not avoid an encounter with North Korean officials deliberately at the reception.

On your first question, I can tell you that there is always close cooperation between the ROK and the US on North Korea and its nuclear issue.

Q: As far as I know, Japan is showing a very negative attitude about inter-Korean summit talks. President Moon has just met with his Japanese counterpart, and how is the discussion going on President Moon’s visit to Tokyo to attend an ROK-China-Japan summit meeting, which will reportedly be held in March or April?

A: To my understanding, the three countries are holding consultations on the timing of the meeting. I think there will be an announcement on that, once any related decision is made. There are no further details that I can tell you at this point.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation