Kwon Young-se “Establishing a North-South Relationship That Speaks Out... Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Policies”

1st Anniversary Meeting... "Establishing Inter-Korean Relations Without Watching North Korea's Mood"

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se reflected on the past year, stating, "We have established inter-Korean relations where we do not bow to North Korea’s pressure, speak frankly to North Korea, and clearly carry out what we must do."

At a first anniversary meeting held on the afternoon of the 22nd at the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Kwon said, "We have laid the foundation for sustainable policies. Moving forward, we will strive to achieve tangible results based on our efforts so far."

He added, "We have worked to fulfill constitutional duties and universal values by raising public awareness of North Korean human rights issues, urging the resolution of abductees, detainees, and Korean War POW issues, and clearly stating our position on leaflets sent to North Korea." He also mentioned proposing the Bold Initiative and separated families talks as efforts to resolve issues through dialogue. However, he expressed regret that "the situation on the Korean Peninsula has hardly progressed due to ongoing North Korean nuclear threats and provocations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding North Korea’s provocative response to the Bold Initiative, a denuclearization plan toward North Korea, he said, "It was designed considering the possibility that North Korea might not easily respond."

Minister Kwon described the Bold Initiative as a policy aimed at leading North Korea to dialogue through "deterrence and renunciation" of its nuclear development and military provocations, adding, "This policy continues to be maintained and its content is being strengthened through cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan." He expressed a positive and hopeful outlook on the possibility of North Korea coming to the dialogue table.

Addressing North Korea, he said, "North Korean authorities should reflect on their current economic situation themselves," and emphasized, "We have no hostile intentions toward North Korea and do not seek to change the status quo by force."

He added, "If North Korea makes a decision to denuclearize and comes to the dialogue table to implement practical denuclearization, we are prepared to significantly develop North Korea’s livelihood and economy accordingly." He further urged, "Chairman Kim Jong-un must choose the path of livelihood and cooperation, not provocation and isolation. We call on him to make the right decision now for the North Korean people and their future."

Regarding speculation about his potential candidacy in next year’s general election and his role as a senior member of the ruling party, he was reserved, saying, "As someone serving in the government, when I will leave is a matter for the President to decide, not something we decide ourselves. Therefore, I have nothing to say on that."