Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

March 6, 2018  14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

A ceremony to grant a letter of appointment to the chair of the Korea-Africa Foundation, to be hosted by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, will take place at the Foreign Ministry this afternoon.

At the ceremony, Minister Kang Kyung-wha will grant the President’s letter of appointment to chair of the Korea-Africa Foundation Choi Yeon-ho.

Chair Choi was appointed as first chair of the Korea-Africa Foundation on February 23. He will oversee the establishment and operation of the Korea-Africa Foundation, to be launched this year as the fourth organization under the umbrella of the Foreign Ministry, drawing upon his abundant experiences as chair of the preparatory and planning committee for the establishment of “the Korea-Africa Center,” the predecessor of the Foundation.

Moving on to the next topic, Minister Kang Kyung-wha will visit Singapore and Vietnam from March 7 to 10 to meet with her Singaporean and Vietnamese counterparts.

Minister Kang will meet with her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan on March 8, and discuss ways to expand cooperation with Singapore, which chairs ASEAN this year.

On March 9, Minister Kang will meet with her Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, and discuss issues between the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, as well as issues regarding high-level exchanges.

During her visits to the countries, Minister Kang will pay courtesy calls on Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, as well as President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam.

Lastly, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will lead a delegation of the ROK to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) South East Asia Regional Program (SEARP) Ministerial Conference, to be co-hosted by the OECD and the Japanese Foreign Ministry from March 8 to 9.

In his address on March 8 at the ministerial conference, to be held under the theme “Inclusive ASEAN,” Vice Minister Cho Hyun will highlight the connectivity between the ROK government’s policy for a “people-centered economy,” the OECD’s “inclusive growth initiative,” and ASEAN’s goal of a “people-oriented and people-centered community.” Vice Minister Cho will also express the ROK government’s commitment to achieving its vision for an ROK-ASEAN community through the New Southern Policy, and to working together with ASEAN.

The ROK and Thailand will attend the conference as next co-chairs of the OECD SEARP Steering Group, and officially take over the co-chairmanship from former co-chairs, Japan and Indonesia, at a reception hosted by Japanese Foreign Minister Kono on March 8.

The ROK’s co-chairmanship of the OECD SEARP is expected to enhance the ROK’s status, and to contribute to achieving greater results from the ROK’s New Southern Policy.

This is all for my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: The ROK and the US will begin their negotiations on the 10th defense cost-sharing agreement tomorrow. Deputy head of the ROK delegation to the negotiations Lee Jae-woong of the Foreign Ministry already said last month that the US will make strong demands. I would like to know a brief schedule of the negotiations, and what the ROK government’s strategy will be in responding to the US demand for an increase in the ROK’s share of the cost of keeping US troops here, including the demand that the ROK share the cost of the THAAD deployment, an issue which continues to be raised in some circles.

A: The ROK government has prepared for the negotiations, taking into account various scenarios that can be proposed by the US side. The government will make its best efforts to create a stable environment for the stationing of US Forces Korea and contribute to strengthening allied defense capabilities, and to achieve reasonable and mutually-beneficial results that the National Assembly and the people of the ROK can accept.

Q: As far as I know, the US government imposed new sanctions on North Korea for its use of chemical weapons. Considering the timing of this, I would like to know the Foreign Ministry’s assessment and position.

A: We think that the US move is part of the international community’s joint efforts to induce North Korea to take the path towards denuclearization through strong sanctions and pressure. We also expect it to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

Q: I heard that the ROK and the US are coordinating schedules, including for a meeting between Minister Kang Kyugn-wha and Secretary Tillerson. Please tell us if any related schedule has been set.

A: The two countries are still discussing the schedule of Minister Kang’s visit to the US, and nothing has been decided yet. Once it is decided, we will let you know at an appropriate time.

Q: Regarding the ROK special envoys’ visit to North Korea, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun said that there was a satisfactory agreement. With regard to this, Japanese Foreign Minister Kono said this morning that the ROK government had not yet informed them of the results of the visit to North Korea, and that they will ask for a clear explanation. After the special envoys return home, when will the ROK brief its allies, the US and Japan, about the results?

A: The ROK government will continue to closely consult with countries concerned on the current situation regarding inter-Korean talks, including the outcome of the special envoys’ visit to North Korea.

Q: This is what happened last week. In response to President Moon Jae-in’s March 1 speech, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga said that the President’s remark about the “comfort women” issue is in violation of the ROK-Japan agreement on the issue. What does the ROK government make of this view?

A: The March 1 memorial speech made clear once again the ROK government’s position that in dealing with the ROK-Japan relations, it will work to develop future-oriented relations, while facing up to history. There is nothing more to add.

Q: This is a similar context. It has been reported that the expression " victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery” will be used again in social studies textbooks for elementary school students for the first time in four years. I would like to know if the Japanese side expressed any position or protested against this.

A: The ROK government’s position is that it will continue efforts to make the “comfort women” issue a lesson of history. For further details on this, please contact government agencies in charge of this matter. As far as I know, there have been no particular responses from the Japanese side yet.

Q: Regarding the special envoys’ visit to North Korea yesterday, North Korean media reported that the two sides reached a satisfactory agreement on a summit. So far, the ROK President has said that conditions should be created to hold summit talks.

Can we think that some progress has been made on the North Korean nuclear issue during the special envoys’ visit to North Korea? I would like to know what North Korea’s position was.

A: I think the division in charge of the issue will explain the results of the visit to North Korea. There is nothing I can share with you at this point.

Q: I have one more question. What progress does the Foreign Ministry think needs to be made on the North Korean nuclear issue to hold an inter-Korean summit meeting?

A: A range of consultations are underway on the issue within the government. We think that the government will continue discussions on the issue, comprehensively taking into account related matters, including the results of the special envoys’ visit to North Korea. There is nothing particular that I can share with you at this point.

Q: It appears that you have not answered the previous question. Some people have pointed out that an official of the Foreign Ministry, in charge of nuclear diplomacy with North Korea, was not included in the delegation which assumed an important role of a mediator for US-North Korea dialogue. What does the Foreign Ministry make of this?

A: Regarding the special envoys’ visit to North Korea, the Foreign Ministry is closely consulting and cooperating with related government agencies and countries.

Q: I have another related question. The special envoys are also planning to visit the US, aren’t they? Will anyone from the Foreign Ministry join them on their trip to the US?

Also, you said that Foreign Minister Kang’s visit to the US is being discussed. Will the Foreign Ministry continue to work on the visit separately from the special envoys’ visit to the US? Or could there be a change depending on that?

A: To answer your second question first, to my understanding, the two visits are being handled separately.

On your first question, the composition of the delegation is under discussion.

Q: In her remarks at the World Journalists Conference luncheon yesterday, Minister Kang talked about the ROK’s principles regarding denuclearization, and said the ROK’s second principle is that sanctions and pressure on North Korea will remain in place as long as it does not undertake substantial measures for denuclearization. Can we consider this remark consistent with the US position that North Korea will not be rewarded for just opening a dialogue, a position expressed earlier by Vice President Mike Pence?

A: Yes. In a larger sense, they are considered in a similar context.

Q: As you know, the ROK is taking steps to file a complaint with the WTO against the US for imposing heavy tariffs, and the EU and Russia have said that they want to join. There have also been reports that they have informed the ROK government of their intention to do so. I would like to know any related discussion is taking place through the Foreign Ministry.

A: I will check further into the matter, and if there is anything that I can share with you, I will do so.

Are there any other questions? If there are no further questions, I will conclude today’s briefing.

Thank you.

* unofficial translation