Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Cho June-hyuck
Jan. 12, 2015 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have two announcements to make.

First, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang Joon-kook will hold a series of meetings with the chief negotiators of the US, Japan, China and Russia for the Six-Party Talks.

Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang will hold a meeting of the chief negotiators of the ROK, the US and Japan for the Six-Party Talks on January 13 in Seoul with Special Representative for North Korea Policy of the US Department of State Sung Kim and Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry Kimihiro Ishikane, and discuss ways to respond to the latest nuclear test by North Korea.

Following the meeting, Special Representative Hwang will visit Beijing on January 14 to hold a meeting of the chief negotiators of the ROK and China for the Six-Party Talks with Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wu Dawei.

In addition, Special Representative Hwang will hold a meeting of the chief negotiators of the ROK and Russia for the Six-Party Talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgulov in Moscow on January 19, concluding a series of meetings among the five parties participating in the Six-Party Talks.

Through a series of meetings with the chief negotiators of the US, Japan, China and Russia for the Six-Party Talks, the ROK government will make efforts to forge a united international response to North Korea’s serious provocations, including drawing up a strong and effective Security Council resolution in a swift manner.

Moving on to the second announcement, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam will hold the second ROK-US-Japan vice foreign ministerial meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on January 16 with US Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki.

In the upcoming meeting, which will come after the meeting of the chief negotiators of the ROK, the US and Japan for the Six-Party Talks, to be held in Seoul on January 13, the three sides will hold in-depth discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue, including ways to work together in response to the latest nuclear test by North Korea. They will also discuss ways to cooperate in Northeast Asia and on the global stage.

On the sidelines of the trilateral meeting, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim will also meet bilaterally with US Deputy Secretary Blinken and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Saiki, and discuss issues of mutual concern.

This is all for my opening statement.


[Q&A]

Q: I have a question on the “comfort women” issue. Since the ROK and Japan reached an agreement on the “comfort women” issue, there has been a continuous controversy over the issue of inscription of records about “comfort women” on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The Ministry of the Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which are in charge of the issue, have reportedly said that the issue needs to be handled by civic organizations. What is the ROK government’s position on that? Also, please tell us if the ROK government, on its part, is not making any preparations for the inscription.

A: I think I have repeatedly talked here about the issue of inscription of records about “comfort women” on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. As far as I know, the inscription is being pursued by the private sector in order to raise the international community’s awareness of the “comfort women” issue and to teach people around the world and next generations a lesson on the need to eradicate wartime sexual violence.

Therefore, the ROK government understands that as the inscription is being pursued by civic organizations, it is not related to the agreement on the “comfort women” issue recently reached between the ROK and Japan, and that whether to apply for the inscription will be decided by civic organizations themselves.

Q: It has been reported that Foreign Ministry officials are meeting the former “comfort women” individually to persuade them. Is this true? As a result of such meetings, have the former “comfort women” accepted the agreement? How much understanding has been obtained?

A: I talked about the issue once last week. The ROK government’s top priority regarding the agreement on the “comfort women” issue is to restore honor and dignity of the “comfort women”, and to heal their wounded hearts. It was the most important goal and principle. Focusing on that, the ROK government reached the agreement on the “comfort women” issue. In the process of consulting with the Japanese side, the ROK government had continuously made efforts to have the voices of the “comfort women” sufficiently reflected.

As I said the other day, the Foreign Ministry gathered their opinions through a total of 15 meetings or contacts with the “comfort women” and related organizations in 2015 alone. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which provides support to the “comfort women,” has also operated a task force for the past three years and frequently listened to the opinions of related organizations and experts.

As part of such efforts, the First Vice Foreign Minister and the Second Vice Foreign Minister respectively visited the “shelter” and the “House of Sharing” immediately after the announcement on the agreement on December 28, and explained the results of the negotiations on the agreement. They also asked for their understanding and paid attention to their views. Also, yesterday, the Foreign Ministry engaged in such activities for the “comfort women” living in separate places, in the cases where they wanted such activities. In the process of implementing follow-up measures going forward, the Foreign Ministry will continue such efforts to gather the views of the “comfort women” and to have them reflected in the process.

Q: I have a related question. The government informed the public of the visits by the First and Second Vice Foreign Ministers in advance. But, yesterday’s visit was not made public. What is the reason for that?

Also, there is a video clip on the Internet showing that when reporters on the scene asked Foreign Ministry officials to confirm something, they did not confirm anything and just left the place. Is there any reason for not confirming anything just like that?

A: As I have already said, the First Vice Foreign Minister and the Second Vice Foreign Minister respectively visited the “shelter” and the “House of Sharing” to meet the “comfort women” there. Also there are “comfort women” who live alone in the metropolitan or provincial areas, and they could get information on the results of the negotiations only through media reports. Therefore, I think it is necessary for the government, which was directly in charge of the negotiations, to give them a detailed explanation, pay attention to their views and ask for their understanding.

Officials who visit the “comfort women” contact them in advance, and only when they agree to such visits, the officials visit them. As everyone has a different situation, the government does not think that it should always be made public.

Q: There are reports that Japanese Prime Minister Abe told a member of the opposition party today that he will not directly apologize to the “comfort women.” What is the Foreign Ministry’s position on that?

A: Are you asking about the girl statue erected in memory of the “comfort women”? Please repeat your question.

Q: There are press reports out there that Prime Minister Abe mentioned to a member of Japan’s opposition party at the Japanese parliament that no direct apology would be extended to the former “comfort women.” What is the ROK Foreign Ministry’s position on these remarks?

A: I have read that press report. I think Prime Minister Abe said that he would not give a direct answer to a question from a member of Japan’s opposition party, as Foreign Minister Kishida had relayed a direct apology from the Prime Minister at the time the ROK-Japan agreement on the “comfort women” issue was concluded, and the Prime Minister himself had expressed a direct apology and remorse in the telephone conversation with the President (Park Geun-hye). I think Prime Minister Abe said what he said and nothing more and nothing less.

Q: According to Prime Minister Abe’s remarks at the Japanese parliament, it is his understanding that the girl statue will be removed. I would like your comments on this issue.

A: Thank you (for your question). With regard to the issue concerning the girl statue, there is nothing more and nothing less than what is stipulated in the text of the agreement. Let me add and repeat, though, that the girl statue was voluntarily installed by the ROK’s private sector. So, it is not something the ROK government has a say in.

What is important from now on is the prompt and smooth implementation of the follow-up measures to the agreement. In this light, I deem it important to refrain from making arbitrary interpretations or other moves that can lead to misunderstandings.

Q: If there are no further questions about Japan, can I ask about the North Korean nuclear issue?

A: Sure. Go ahead.

Q: Since the nuclear test by North Korea last week, the Chinese government has continued to send the message that the relevant countries should exercise restraint. What is the ROK government’s position on the Chinese message?

A: To our knowledge, the Chinese government expressed a very stern position on North Korea’s nuclear test in its Foreign Ministry statement issued on the day the nuclear test was conducted. As you are well aware and I think that the ROK and China share the same goal and principle in terms of the North Korean nuclear issue.

I deem that the Chinese government has manifested its clear and highly principled position that it does not accept a nuclear North Korea and opposes North Korea’s nuclear test.

Q: As you are aware as well, many point out that the ROK government’s diplomacy toward China may have failed, criticizing the ROK government for the failure. What does the ROK government make of this criticism?

A: Well, after the unexpected nuclear test by North Korea, the ROK and Chinese governments held consultations between their Foreign Ministers and their head delegates to the Six-Party Talks. In addition, the UN Security Council is currently in intensive discussions on the possible adoption of a resolution and ways to effectively implement the sanctions on North Korea.

The recent nuclear provocation by North Korea is a grave challenge to even China. So, to my understanding, the Chinese government, on its part as well, holds the position that North Korea should face corresponding consequences for its reckless action.

The friendly relations between the ROK and China are a significant strategic asset for solidifying peace on and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The nuclear test by North Korea cannot but have direct and indirect impact in the mid to long term on China’s policy toward North Korea, and repeated provocations from the North will only intensify this trend.

It is our judgment that the firm opposition expressed by the majority of the Chinese to North Korea’s nuclear test categorically reflects this trend.

Q: Going back to the “comfort women” issue, are minister- and/or higher-level officials, not working-level officials, making efforts to help former “comfort women” understand the ROK-Japan agreement on the “comfort women” issue and persuade them (to accept it)? If so, what efforts are they making and what are their plans in that regard?

A: That is a good question. To reiterate, we plan to provide them with proper explanations as the situation calls for them. As the views of the victims are highly important in implementing the follow-up measures, we plan to continue providing them with explanations and gathering their opinions.

Q: I have another question on the North Korean nuclear issue. Please share with us what progress has been made in the UN Security Council discussions on a resolution for international or UN sanctions on North Korea for its recent nuclear test.

A: As you are aware, the member states of the UN Security Council held urgent consultations on January 6, New York time, and strongly condemned North Korea’s nuclear test while issuing a press statement that the Security Council will adopt a new resolution for sanctions immediately.

To my knowledge, the member states of the UN Security Council started consultations on the draft of the resolution yesterday or today.

Q: Will the member states of the UN Security Council hold another formal meeting? Or, will they hold informal consultations on the draft?

A: Well, I think that the consultations will take place in New York on various occasions and in diverse forms. As it is an important issue, and the situation is grave, the consultations on the draft will take place at various levels and in diverse ways.

Q: With regard to the “comfort women” issue, you mentioned earlier that the civilian groups are leading efforts to get documents related to “comfort women” listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. However, in its policy briefing in 2014, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family included this matter as their work. Has the Ministry handed the work over to the private sector or called what the private sector has worked on as their own? Which is it?

A: Thank you (for your question). Again, to the knowledge of the Foreign Ministry, civilian groups are leading the relevant work.

Q: Director-General Ishikane of Japan will visit the ROK tomorrow, January 13, to prepare for the upcoming ROK-US-Japan trilateral talks. Will he meet with Director-General Lee Sang-deok of the ROK Foreign Ministry before or after the (trilateral) meeting on the North Korean nuclear issue to discuss the follow-up measures to the ROK-Japan deal on the “comfort women” issue?

A: I know nothing about it.

Q: The ROK is scheduled to hold trilateral talks with the US and Japan as well as bilateral ones with China and Russia, respectively. Will there be a US-Japan bilateral meeting between their head delegates on the sidelines of the ROK-US-Japan trilateral talks? In the telephone conference between Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, did the Chinese side mention whether it had had any consultation with North Korea, and if so what had been discussed there? Please share with us what you know about this.

A: Thank you (for your question). In answer to your first question of whether there will be a US-Japan bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ROK-US-Japan trilateral talks among their head delegates to the Six-Party Talks, let me tell you that there will be no bilateral meeting, be it between the ROK and the US, between the US and Japan or between the ROK and Japan. With respect to the content of the telephone conversation between the ROK and Chinese Foreign Ministers, it is somewhat inappropriate for me to disclose it here.

Q: Going back to one of the earlier questions today, Prime Minister Abe of Japan said at the Japanese parliament that as he had offered apology over the “comfort women” issue to President Park Geun-hye in their telephone conversation, the issue has been resolved. To my understanding, according to the content of the ROK-Japan agreement, the issue will have been resolved after Japan acknowledges its responsibility and extends an apology and sincerely implements the measures stipulated in the agreement, including raising the fund (for reparations). The Japanese government seems to view the issue as already resolved. What is the ROK government’s position in this regard?

A: Well, you made specific points, and I do not have the text of Prime Minister Abe’s remarks with me right now. In any case, what I can tell you categorically about this issue is that the ROK-Japan agreement should be taken as is, nothing more and nothing less. What is of pivotal importance from now on is to implement the follow-up measures to the agreement.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.


* unofficial translation