Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

April 17, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the Inter-Regional Conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism in Seoul from April 18 to 19.

In his opening address on April 18, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will talk about the need for cooperation between Asia and Europe to respond to the threat of violent extremism, and especially stress the importance of building the capacity of the youth. The upcoming conference is the first one in the area of counterterrorism to be held in Asia in cooperation with the OSCE, a successful European organization for multilateral security cooperation. It will be attended by about 150 people, including government officials from European and Asian countries, and academics from home and abroad.

The forthcoming conference will cover a range of topics concerning violent extremism, including challenges and solutions; top priorities for devising national strategies; strengthening the capacity of youth; and ways to respond to terrorists’ activities to spread propaganda online.

This is all for my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: There are multiple reports that China has intensified its crackdowns on North Korean defectors. To my understanding, the US Department of State is demanding that the Chinese authorities comply with international obligations under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. What is the ROK government’s position regarding this, and what diplomatic effort is it making?

A: Regarding the issue of North Korean defectors, the ROK government is communicating with the governments of countries concerned to make sure that North Korean defectors can go to a region they wish to go to. However, we do not comment on further details publicly, considering various factors, including the safety of North Korean defectors.

Q: A few days ago, the expression “the most important neighboring country” the Japanese Foreign Ministry used in describing the ROK on its website was deleted. What is the ROK Foreign Ministry’s position on this?

A: I do not think it is appropriate for the ROK government to make any assessment of the expression the Japanese government used to describe the ROK-Japan relations.

Q: Then, I have another question. In describing Japan in its white papers released in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the ROK Foreign Ministry used the expression “not only an important neighbor sharing values and understanding, but also a partner the ROK should cooperate with to promote prosperity and peace in Northeast Asia and across the world.” But, the whole sentence was removed from the Foreign Ministry’s white paper 2017. What is the background of this? I would like to know if the expression will also be removed from this year’s white paper.

A: On that, I will check further, and let you know.

Q: With regard to human rights in North Korea, especially the issue of ROK nationals detained in North Korea, some are arguing that the issue should be discussed at the upcoming inter-Korean summit. Does the government or the Foreign Ministry think that human rights in North Korea, including the issue of ROK nationals detained in North Korea, can be dealt with as an agenda?

A: As far as I remember, a similar question was asked at the Foreign Minister’s press briefing. I remember that the Minister said that various issues could be discussed.

Q: There has been a foreign media report that quoted Chinese sources on North Korea as saying that at the summit held between Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong-un and President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, on March 26, Chairman Kim asked for large-scale economic cooperation, support to guarantee the survival of the North Korean regime, and the removal of military threats. Has the ROK government been informed of anything regarding this by the Chinese or Japanese governments? What is the ROK government’s position on that?

A: I do not think it is appropriate for us to specifically mention or comment on such details that have been reported ahead of inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits. Let me just tell you that we are closely collaborating and cooperating with countries concerned to ensure the success of the two summits.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation