President Moon to Heads of NIS and Ministry of Unification: "A Duty to Revive Stalled Inter-Korean Relations" (Comprehensive)

President Moon urges "to unite as one team, share wisdom and roles"... Minister Lee In-young vows "to fully commit to making the breath of peace felt during the President's term"

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] "The mission to move the stalled inter-Korean relations forward lies with the two of you." President Moon Jae-in said this during a conversation after presenting appointment letters to Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, on the 29th.

Chief Blue House Spokesperson Kang Min-seok said, "President Moon Jae-in expressed his expectations by saying that Director Park Ji-won is the key figure who made the inter-Korean summit happen for the first time in history and has the longest experience and rich expertise, and that Minister Lee In-young has tremendous drive. President Moon evaluated that the two will fulfill their historic mission well."

President Moon emphasized, "Inter-Korean relations cannot be resolved by just one ministry alone," adding, "The National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and the Blue House Security Office must come together as one team, pooling wisdom and sharing roles."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Director Park Ji-won said, "I sincerely thank the President who appointed me," and added, "I will repay by opening the path for inter-Korean relations and reforming to clear the dark history of the National Intelligence Service." Director Park emphasized, "As President Moon intends, there will never be any political interference in any case."

Minister Lee In-young said, "I feel a sense of mission to open the door to peace before the door to peace on the Korean Peninsula closes," and added, "I will do my utmost to ensure that during President Moon Jae-in’s term, the breath of peace can definitely be felt by taking one step at a time."

Spokesperson Kang said, "There was also a special request from the President to Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency. President Moon gave significance to his inauguration, saying he is taking charge at the most important turning point in police history."

President Moon emphasized, "Although the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police and the introduction of the autonomous police system may seem like a power adjustment between the prosecution and police, the essential goal is to establish a more advanced and democratic system to protect the people from crime and safeguard life, safety, and human rights."

President Moon said, "If the relationship between the prosecution and police becomes a horizontal cooperative relationship rather than a command-and-obedience relationship as in the past, we must devote all efforts to equipping the police with investigative capabilities and democratic competence to protect human rights."

Spokesperson Kang conveyed, "President Moon especially requested that during the process of reforming the investigative system, the total investigative capacity of the state must not be impaired in any way. On the contrary, it should be developed."

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency pledged, "As President Moon said, I will faithfully complete the reform tasks to ensure that the purpose of reforming investigative authority between the police and prosecution is properly reflected," and added, "I will dedicate myself to becoming a police force that wins the hearts of the people."