Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

July 3, 2018  14:30  KST

Before I start today’s briefing, let me introduce to you three guests joining us here today.

Three Japanese journalists, who are on a visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are joining us here at today’s press briefing. They are Tomokazu Hasegawa from Kyodo News, Masashi Yamaguchi from the Yomiuri Shimbun, and Tomotaka Nakamura from the Sankei Shimbun.

The journalists from Japan arrived in the ROK yesterday, and will stay here for about one week. They will visit major organizations, and security-related and cultural sites. Please welcome them with a round of applause.

Let me start today’s briefing.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend the 10th Youngsan Diplomat Awards ceremony, hosted by the Seoul Forum for International Affairs at the Plaza Hotel on July 4.

The Seoul Forum for International Affairs gives the Youngsan Diplomat Awards every year to government officials and people from the private sector who have made efforts to promote national interests and enhance the ROK’s national image on the diplomatic front. This year’s Youngsan Diplomat Awards will go to former Ambassador to the US Ahn Ho-young, and Professor Choi Jung-hwa at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Moving on to the next topic, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun delivered welcoming remarks at an international academic conference on “Korea’s New Southern Policy: Visions, Strategies and Ways Forward,” to be held at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy from today until tomorrow.

In his welcoming remarks, Vice Minister Cho talked about the importance of ASEAN and India, expected to become new engines of global economic growth, and expressed hope that participants in the meeting would discuss in depth ways to enhance relations with ASEAN members and India.

This is all for my opening statement. I will take your questions.

[Q&A]

Q: You must have already been asked many questions regarding the announcement on Secretary Pompeo’s visit to North Korea and Japan. The Department of State said that after visiting North Korea, Secretary Pompeo would visit Japan, and hold consultations with Foreign Ministers Kono and Kang Kyung-wha. Has Foreign Minister Kang’s schedule been finalized?

A: Related issues, including schedule, are being discussed. I will let you know once it is finalized.

Q: Secretary Pompeo will go directly to Japan without a stopover in the ROK after visiting North Korea. What is the reason for this? It seems that there will be a controversy about the so-called “Korea passing.” What is the ROK government’s position on this?

A: As far as I know, after his visit to North Korea, Secretary Pompeo will visit many other countries. The ROK, the US and Japan are consulting on related schedule.

Q: When the US Department of State announced Secretary Pompeo’s planned visit to North Korea, they used the term “FFVD (final, fully verified denuclearization).” What does the ROK government think the term means? How does the government think it is different from the term “CVID” previously used?

A: It is the media which have interpreted the term. We understand that the basic position of the US remains the same.

Q: What is the ROK government’s position on Secretary Pompeo’s third visit to North Korea? Also, I would like to know if there is a possibility of him stopping over in the ROK on his way to North Korea.

A: The ROK and the US are closely communicating and cooperating on North Korea. I do not think it would be appropriate for the ROK side to mention anything in advance regarding issues to be discussed during Secretary Pompeo’s visit to North Korea. On the possibility of him stopping over in the ROK that you just asked about, there is nothing we can say right now.

Q: Some US media outlets have recently reported that there are signs that North Korea is expanding a missile manufacturing plant, haven’t they? There are only a few days left until working-level negotiations between the US and North Korea. What does the ROK government think of North Korea’s commitment to denuclearization?

A: We have also seen such news reports on the issue you just mentioned. The ROK government is keeping a close watch on related developments in close cooperation with related US authorities. However, as it is an intelligence matter, it is difficult for us to specifically mention anything regarding it. We ask for your understanding. The ROK government will continue to closely work together with the international community, including the US, to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

Q: Secretary Pompeo’s upcoming visit to North Korea will be his first visit since the US and North Korea reached an agreement in Singapore, and it is unusual for him to stay there for three days. What does the ROK government make of this? Also, it is the first time for the ROK and Japanese Foreign Ministers, and the US Secretary of State to meet trilaterally immediately after the Secretary’s visit to North Korea, and it is also the first time for the Secretary to meet trilaterally with the ROK and Japanese sides. You said that the three countries are consulting on the meeting. In other words, they are making efforts to hold the meeting. What is the purpose and meaning of such efforts? What roles is the ROK government playing in normalizing the relations between North Korea and Japan? How fast does the government think the process will go forward?

A: To our understanding, Secretary Pompeo will visit North Korea for two days. It would be two days, instead of three days, due to travel time. We expect that consultations will proceed smoothly in the first high-level meeting to follow up on the US-North Korea summit, held in Singapore on June 12, in order to make sure that steps regarding a range of issues, including denuclearization, are taken in a swift manner. On the trilateral consultation among the ROK, the US and Japan, as I said earlier, related issues, including schedule, are being discussed.

Q: I have a question on Yemeni refugees on Jeju Island. As far as I know, screening process in accordance with related laws is underway, but does the Foreign Ministry have an official stance on the treatment of Yemeni refugees?

A: The Foreign Ministry is participating in consultations on the issue in line with its basic position that the ROK government’s measures should be in conformity with the ROK’s related laws, and its obligations under international human rights laws on the protection of refugees, including the principle of non-refoulement.

I will conclude today’s briefing, if there are no further questions. Thank you.

* unofficial translation