[2020 National Audit] "Our Citizens' North Korea Visit Visa Marked as 'Namjosun'... Must Correct to 'Republic of Korea'"

Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, is questioning Lee In-young, the Minister of Unification, during the Ministry of Unification's national audit held by the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] There has been a call to correct the nationality on visas issued to our citizens when visiting North Korea through a third country, which currently states 'Namjosun' instead of the official name of the Republic of Korea.

On the 9th, Tae Young-ho, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the People Power Party, pointed out the issue during a national audit that the nationality on visas issued to our citizens entering North Korea via a third country is listed as Namjosun, and demanded correction.

Rep. Tae stated, "Indicating nationality as such when visiting North or South through a third country violates the spirit of the 1991 North-South Basic Agreement. We issue visit permits without specifying nationality when visiting North Korea via the Demilitarized Zone or a third country. However, the visas our citizens receive when visiting North Korea through a third country do specify nationality, and it is listed as Namjosun."

Rep. Tae further said, "We should demand that North Korea abolish the visa issuance system and use visit permits instead, and if North Korea refuses to accept this, we should require adherence to international practices and customs," adding, "North Korea is the only country that marks visas in a way that offends the visitor's feelings." Minister of Unification Lee In-young responded, "As opportunities arise, once inter-Korean relations are restored and dialogue resumes, we will address these issues one by one.”