Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

June 5, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have four announcements to make.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with President Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Foreign Ministry later today, June 5. In their meeting, the two sides will discuss the bilateral agreement on the establishment of an ICRC office in the Republic of Korea as well as the ROK government’s contribution to the ICRC and other matters concerning bilateral cooperation; and will exchange views on humanitarian operations in the world’s highly disputed regions.

Moving along, Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam will visit India on June 5 and 6 for a meeting with Secretary (East) Preeti Saran of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, among others.

The two sides will discuss ways to conduct a future-oriented cooperation, including in the substantive fields of trade, investment and infrastructure, and in responding to the fourth industrial revolution; ways to boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges; and regional and global issues, including those concerning the Korean Peninsula. The purpose of Vice Minister Lim’s visit to India is to seek more substantial progress in the “special strategic partnership” with India, one of the ROK’s main partners in implementing its New Southern Policy, and to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation.

On the heels of his trip to India, Vice Minister Lim will visit Sri Lanka on June 6 and 7 for the second ROK-Sri Lanka policy consultation. In the meeting, the two sides will review the progress in the implementation of the measures agreed upon by the Presidents of the two countries during Sri Lankan President Sirisena’s state visit to the ROK in November 2017. In particular, they will discuss ways to step up substantive cooperation on trade, investment and infrastructure, and to increase people-to-people exchanges; and regional and global issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula.

Thirdly, the Foreign Ministry, together with Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), will hold a “talk concert on safe overseas travel” at Gwangwhamun Square at 7:00 pm, today, June 5.

The event, which will come to mark the first anniversary of the ROK government’s launch, has been arranged to raise the Koreans’ safety awareness and to offer them correct information regarding the government’s system for the protection of the overseas Koreans. The event will take place in the presence of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. This communicative event with the public will be co-hosted by announcer Park Hye-jin and entertainer Noh Hong-chul, and joined by actor Shin Hyun-joon, author Jo Seung-yeon and foreign entertainer Sam Okyere, who will share with the other participants their overseas travel experiences and discuss safety measures. A congratulatory performance will ensue. The event will be aired live on the Foreign Ministry’s official Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.

Lastly, the Foreign Ministry will hold on June 7 a “safety meeting ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and missionary activities in the summer,” which will be chaired by Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

At the meeting to come shortly ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and other international sporting events as well as the busy summer season of mission trips, representatives from travel agencies and missionary groups will discuss safety measures designed to better protect overseas Koreans and ways to raise safety awareness of Korean travelers abroad.

That concludes my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: It has been finalized that the US-North Korea summit talks will take place in Singapore at 10:00 am, June 12 (local time). And, it appears to be a given that President Moon Jae-in will visit Singapore for the event. Will Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha accompany the President to the country? Another thing. President Trump pinpointed the ROK, China and Japan as countries he expects to shoulder the costs of denuclearization. Many speculate that the ROK government will be shouldering a big part of the costs. What is the (ROK) government’s position about this?

A: In answer to your first question, let me tell you that nothing has been decided (with regard to the President’s visit to Singapore). Thus, it remains undecided whether or not the (Foreign) Minister will visit to the country. Moving on to your second question about the costs (of denuclearization), this issue will be properly discussed in the US-North Korea (summit) meeting and consultations that will follow.

Q: In your previous press briefing, you, though briefly, shared with us progress in US-North Korea meetings. Please brief us on the currently ongoing situation and developments, if there is anything you can share with us.

A: I have nothing to share with you in that regard.

Q: You told us moments ago that there is nothing that has been decided regarding the possibility of the President and/or the Foreign Minister visiting Singapore (for the US-North Korea summit meeting). Anyway, President Trump has referred to the possible declaration of an end to the Korean War, parties concerned to which include not only the US but also the ROK, I think. I would like to know not so much whether the President and/or the Foreign Minister will join the US and North Korea in Singapore as what is under discussion with regard to the possible declaration of an end to the Korean War, which also involves the ROK, and how that discussion is or will be progressing.

A: The ROK government will pursue the declaration after seeing how the US-North Korea summit meeting turns out and in close consultation with North Korea and other relevant countries.

Q: You referred to relevant countries, as you spoke about the declaration issue just now. China is also raising the possibility of taking part in the declaration of an end to the Korean War. What, if any, has the ROK government discussed with China about this matter?

A: Please understand that when I said “relevant countries,” I meant such “relevant countries.” Rather than specifically telling you whether discussions are under way in this regard with any particular countries, let me just reiterate what the (ROK) government has repeatedly said, which is that this matter is linked to the outcome of the forthcoming US-North Korea summit meeting. Let me also reiterate that it will be pursued in close consultation with such relevant countries.

Q: Amid everything open to possibilities, the (US-North Korea) summit meeting will take place in about a week. In the telephone conversation between the ROK and the Singaporean Foreign Ministers, the Singaporean side is said to have extended appreciation to the ROK side for sharing with it information on the inter-Korean summit talks. Please share with us what working-level preparations the (ROK) government is making for a possible ROK-US-North summit meeting in Singapore or other various possible situations in case that does not happen.

A: According to some press reports issued earlier today, a “working-level delegation” from the ROK will visit Singapore. However, nothing specific has been finalized, yet. Nevertheless, the ROK Foreign Ministry, for close communication and consultation between the ROK and the US in Singapore, is considering sending a delegation comprised mainly of officials of the Ministry’s Office of Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs. Many of you journalists will also visit Singapore to cover the event. The Foreign Ministry is conducting an internal review on a number of relevant matters. The Foreign Ministry Office of the Spokesperson, for its part, is considering having its personnel members included in the delegation to render assistance to you journalists on the ground.

Q: In connection with the possible declaration of an end to the Korean War, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the withdrawal of US Forces Korea was being considered as a potential bargaining chip. What steps is the ROK government taking in this regard?

A: According to press reports, the US Secretary of Defense spoke to that on more than two occasions. This issue is not on the agenda for negotiations and should be dealt with strictly as one related to the ROK-US alliance.

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

* unofficial translation