Minister of Unification Meets Head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Korea Peace Negotiation Headquarters
Discusses North Korea Sanctions and ROK-US Working Group... Requests Cooperation on North Korea Policy
After taking office, Minister of Unification Lee In-young visited the Donghae Line Inter-Korean Transit Office in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province on the 31st of last month to receive a work report for the first time. He is raising both arms for a commemorative photo at Jejin Station. momo@yna.co.kr
On the 5th, Minister of Unification Lee In-young met with Lee Do-hoon, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office for Peace and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, to discuss the Korea-US Working Group and requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' active cooperation in inter-Korean exchange and cooperation.
The Ministry of Unification stated, "At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lee Do-hoon, Director of the Office for Peace and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, paid a courtesy visit to Minister Lee In-young," adding, "Director Lee reported on the situation on the Korean Peninsula as perceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recent North Korea-US consultation trends, and the status of sanctions and the operation of the Working Group. Minister Lee requested active cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the process of implementing North Korea policy."
It was reported that Director Lee briefed on the direction of inter-Korean cooperation projects reviewed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level, the virtuous cycle plan for the currently stalled North Korea-US dialogue, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
In addition to reviewing previously discussed projects such as individual tourism to Geumgangsan and inter-Korean railway connection projects, broad discussions were held regarding new projects to be promoted in the future.
The Korea-US Working Group is considered efficient in terms of pre-coordinating sanctions against North Korea, so the framework will be maintained. However, it is interpreted that inter-Korean cooperation projects unrelated to sanctions, such as humanitarian aid or barter trade, will be pursued.
On the 31st of last month, Minister Lee visited Jejin Station in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, the northernmost train station on the Donghae Line, stating, "We will actively seek ways to resume tourism to Geumgangsan." He also revealed plans for inter-Korean exchanges, saying, "We will promote the connection of inter-Korean railways and roads to create a new economic order on the Korean Peninsula."
He has repeatedly expressed his commitment to inter-Korean health and medical cooperation. On the same day, Minister Lee met with executives of the North Korea Cooperation Civil Society Council (Bukminhyeop) related to the health and medical field at his office in the Government Seoul Office Building, stating, "The Ministry of Unification will accompany civil society activities with policy and financial support."
Regarding criticisms that "the Korea-US Working Group is hindering progress in inter-Korean relations," Minister Lee said, "We will distinguish between parts that require consultation with the Korea-US Working Group and those that do not, and actively pursue what we can do on our own."
A government official explained the recent meeting, saying, "Director Lee reported to the newly appointed Minister of Unification on inter-ministerial collaboration and coordination regarding inter-Korean exchange projects."
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