Lee In-young "Reviewing Korea-US Joint Humanitarian Cooperation Measures for North Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid North Korea's launch of cruise missiles on the 11th and 12th and a ballistic missile using a train on the 15th, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, stated that "humanitarian cooperation will be pursued regardless of political, military, or security situations," and announced that South Korea and the United States will jointly review humanitarian cooperation measures toward North Korea.

On the 17th, at the 'Special Delegation Meeting Commemorating the 3rd Anniversary of the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration,' Minister Lee said, "Even if it takes time, the government intends to calmly and resolutely do what must be done for peace on the Korean Peninsula with a long-term perspective and insight."

Minister Lee emphasized, "Although North Korea's missile launches have raised considerable concerns within our society again, our will for peace is growing stronger and firmer even amid a robust response posture," adding, "We hope that South Korea, North Korea, and the United States will promptly resume dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and restart substantive discussions on denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Lee stated, "Our government has maintained the principle of consistently pursuing humanitarian cooperation regardless of political, military, or security situations, and the Biden administration in the United States has agreed with this stance," adding, "We will continue to make efforts to create conditions for the resumption of South-North-U.S. dialogue, including jointly reviewing humanitarian cooperation measures toward North Korea with the United States."