Ministry of Unification: "If COVID-19 Situation Improves, Pursue 'Small Trade' with North Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Unification announced that it will promote "small-scale trade," a barter trade method with North Korea, once the COVID-19 situation improves.

On the 21st, a Ministry of Unification official stated in a written briefing on the work report, "We believe that despite difficult conditions, it can be promoted once the COVID-19 situation improves, and we will explore various possibilities."

Through the presidential work report on the same day, the Ministry of Unification announced plans to expand cooperation with North Korea, including "small-scale trade." "Small-scale trade" refers to barter trade between South and North Korea involving non-sanctioned items such as alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and processed foods.

However, concerns have been raised that North Korea may not accept this barter trade method. In response, the official said, "With the recognition that the conditions for inter-Korean trade differ from those before the sanctions, the idea is for both sides to exchange mutually needed items that are possible under sanctions in a reciprocal manner," adding, "It is also necessary to consider that the May 24 measures no longer pose an obstacle to inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and the significant benefits such as creating economic cooperation space between the two Koreas and providing opportunities for our entrepreneurs."

Regarding North Korea's dismissal of humanitarian cooperation efforts such as "quarantine cooperation" promoted by South Korea as "non-essential issues," the Ministry of Unification official said, "If we open the door to inter-Korean cooperation starting with COVID-19 response and expand it to joint responses to livestock epidemics and natural disasters, there will be many things that South and North can achieve through cooperation," adding, "We will flexibly seek cooperation methods acceptable to North Korea by collaborating with various partners such as civic groups, local governments, and international organizations."

In the work report on the same day, the Ministry of Unification also announced that it is promoting the establishment of a "North Korea Visit Support Center" within the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association to support individual tourism to North Korea. A Ministry of Unification official explained, "Since last February, we have been operating a North Korea Visit Support Task Force (TF) using the existing association's organization and personnel, and we are consulting with related organizations to officially open it once the budget is secured."

Additionally, the Ministry of Unification plans to proceed with high-level inter-Korean talks and military talks while monitoring the inter-Korean relationship situation and the international situation, including the inauguration of the U.S. government. The revised Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, which specifies the reasons for "denial of visit approval," is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly by the end of this month. Regarding the expansion of disclosure of North Korean materials and inter-Korean negotiation records, the Ministry of Unification official stated, "We are reviewing appropriate occasions such as anniversaries of inter-Korean agreements."