Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

May 3, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have three announcements to make.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will host a reception/briefing session for foreign diplomats to the Republic of Korea on the outcome of the recent inter-Korean summit talks. The event will take place at her official residence later today, May 3.

This event has been organized to share with the international community the result of the 2018 inter-Korean summit talks and bolster international coordination in implementing what was agreed upon at the summit talks.

Accordingly, the event is expected to serve as an opportunity to inform the international community of the ROK government’s efforts toward “peace on the Korean Peninsula” and to step up coordination with the international community to that end.

Moving along, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend the 37th session of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Havana, Cuba, on May 9 and 10.

The meeting themed “inefficiency of inequality” will cover ECLAC’s various activities aimed at econo-social development of Latin America and ways to build an equal society.

Minister Kang, in particular, will review the progress in the ROK-ECLAC cooperation projects and suggest the way forward for bilateral cooperation.

The meeting is expected to serve as an opportunity for the ROK government to bolster cooperation with the countries and regional organizations in Latin America for diplomatic diversification.

Lastly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the opening ceremony of the “center for diplomacy with the people” at 11:00 am, May 4, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Boo-kyum and representatives of the public.

With an open communication forum of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, called “Gwanghwamun first street,” and the “center for diplomacy with the people” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be housed at the same location under the name of “space for policy communication with the public,” the opening ceremony will be co-hosted by these two Ministries.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Minister Kang will present awards to the winners of the idea contest on “diplomacy with the people” policy, who, in their capacity as representatives of the public, will join the opening ceremony and voice what their expectations are regarding “diplomacy with the people.”

The “center for diplomacy with the people” will seek close communication with the public and their keen participation through on- and off-line platforms in a bid to spearhead “people- and national interest-centered diplomacy,” the vision of “diplomacy with the people” policy.

That concludes my opening statement. I will now take your questions.

[Q&A]

Q: Just moments ago, you shared with us Minister Kang Kyung-wha’s meeting schedule for (May) 9 and 10. Does she plan on visiting the US after the meeting?

A: Work is currently under way to make Minister Kang’s visit to the US happen as soon as possible. We will let you know as soon as a decision is made.

Q: I have a further question. Could the Minister possibly head straight to the US on the heels of the ECLAC meeting on (May) 9 and 10? Or is there a possibility of her visiting the US before the ECLAC meeting?

A: Again, the timing of Minister Kang’s visit to the US is currently being fine-tuned. I believe that there will be an opportunity to let you know as soon as a decision is made.

Q: Please share with us the ROK government’s position on the so-called “double suspension (North Korea suspending its nuclear activities in exchange for the suspension of the ROK-US military exercises)” mechanism proposed by the Chinese government.

A: That has been under discussion all along. The ROK government’s position is articulated in entirety in the joint Panmunjeom Declaration. I find it hard to understand why you are asking about the ROK government’s position on the “double-suspension” mechanism at this time. Why are you doing that?

Q: Back in January, you mentioned that the ROK government did not agree to the “double-suspension” mechanism. I was just checking whether there has been any change in that position since then.

A: Is that the reason?

Q: Yes.

A: Let me tell you that there has been no particular change in our position on that.

Q: In his inaugural remarks, new Secretary of State Pompeo of the US referred to a “permanent, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization (PVID),” a concept somewhat different from what we used to know as “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization (CVID).” What do you think this new concept means?

A: We have seen relevant press reports. Basically, I think CVID and PVID, despite the difference in the words used in coining them, are not different from each other in meaning. Regardless of what words are used to describe denuclearization, the ROK and the US share a firm, common goal of a complete resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

Q: I have a further question. Had there been consultations on this new expression, PVID, through diplomatic channels before it was used? According to some experts, in the expression PVID, a greater significance is seemingly attached to “I.” And others construe it as achieving CVID and then “permanently” maintaining the state. What do you make of these views? Please answer both of my questions.

A: We are not sure of whether the expression PVID is a replacement for CVID as well as at what stage this new concept will be used. Again, despite the difference in the words used in coining CVID and PVID, it is our understanding that they basically mean the same thing.

Q: I guess by “not sure,” you mean that there were no consultations about the new concept, right?

A: Right.

Q: Moving along, in his remarks at his inauguration ceremony, Secretary Pompeo said, “A bad agreement is not an option.” What does the ROK government think the “bad agreement” refers to?

A: I think it is a question that the US government should answer.

Q: To my knowledge, there was a confrontation on May 1 regarding the proposed erection in front of the (Japanese) Consulate-General in Busan of a statue in memory of forced laborers (during Japanese colonial rule). Has the Japanese government’s response to this issue been adjusted in any way? I guess that the ROK government’s position remains basically the same in principle. Please share with us the ROK government’s position.

A: I have reiterated the ROK government’s position on numerous occasions. That position remains unchanged.

Q: Please expand on that, for the sake of broadcasting.

A: The ROK government agrees on the purpose of the erection of the statue, which is to learn a historical lesson from the issue of the forcibly mobilized laborers. Nevertheless, it is the position of the ROK government that such a move should be made within the bounds of relevant law as well as the international comity and practice regarding the protection of diplomatic missions.

Q: The post of the US Ambassador to the ROK still remains vacant. How far has the procedure moved forward for the appointment of Commander Harry Harris?

A: Let me check and share with you what I can.

Q: I have a further, technicality-related question. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend an ECLAC meeting in Havana, Cuba, right? With the ROK having yet to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, I would like to know what procedures she has to undergo to visit the country for the meeting.

A: ECLAC is comprised of 46 member states -- 33 Latin American countries, the ROK, the US, Japan, Germany and others. Accordingly, the ROK has been attending this biennial ECLAC meeting.

Q: Cuba being the meeting’s host country, what about her immigration matters…

A: Pursuant to the diplomatic practice, it is possible for countries to attend international meetings held in countries they have no diplomatic ties with.

Q: I have two questions about the Minister’s visit to Cuba. As I recall, during his visit to Cuba a few years ago, former Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se placed much focus on enhancing the ROK-Cuba relations. Will Minister Kang make similar endeavors? Cuba is one of the closest friends of North Korea. Will the Minister offer an explanation on the outcome of the recent inter-Korean summit talks to the Cuban government or ask for its cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue? Does she plan on seeking cooperation with the Cuban government on North Korean issues?

A: In answer to your first question, let me tell you that the ROK government is boosting exchanges and cooperation with Cuba in various fields, including economy, culture, sports and development, laying the groundwork for improved relations with Cuba. Building on such work, the ROK government will continuously seek to improve its relations with Cuba. Moving on to your second question, Cuba being the host of the forthcoming ECLAC meeting, the Minister is expected to have opportunities to meet government officials of the country in natural settings and to take those opportunities to consult with them on various topics.

Q: Then, have no (ROK-Cuba) foreign ministerial and other meetings been arranged, yet?

A: Let me check the Minister’s schedule and share with you what I can.

Q: According to foreign press reports, the US detainees in North Korea have been released. What, if any, is being communicated with the US Department of State in that regard?

A: There are no press reports out there that they have been released, right?

Q: No.

A: To my knowledge, relevant press reports say that they (US detainees) will likely be released. Currently, the ROK government has nothing to say in that regard, although it is keeping tabs on relevant developments.

Q: Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China is currently on a visit to North Korea. What, if any, has the ROK government discussed with the Chinese government with regard to the role the latter can play in the course of implementing the Panmunjeom Declaration?

A: The ROK and Chinese governments share the common goal of the denuclearization and establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula. To that end, the two governments have always been in close communication with each other at various levels.

Q: Has the ROK government submitted its report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2397?

A: Yes, it has. You can check that on the (UN Security Council) website, I think.

Q: I am asking because it has not been posted (on the website), yet.

A: It has not been posted, yet?

Q: No.

A: I will check details, including technical ones, and then let you know.

If you have no further questions, this will be all for today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation