Ministry of Unification: "Additional Investigation Needed for Inter-Korean Railway Connection... Practical Preparations Ongoing"

Possible Indication of North Korea's Nuclear and ICBM Tests Met with "No Comment"
Inter-Korean Liaison Office Chief Meeting Discussed Non-Holding Between South and North
Position Changes of Kim Yo-jong and Ri Son-gwon Are "Under Confirmation"

On the morning of December 26, 2018, officials from both North and South Korea attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the inter-Korean East-West Sea railway and road connection and modernization at Panmun Station in Kaesong City, North Korea, unveiled the Seoul-Pyongyang signboard.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 22nd that additional investigations through inter-Korean consultations are necessary for the inter-Korean railway and road connection projects, and that practical preparations for this are ongoing.

Lee Sang-min, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, "Inter-Korean railway and road cooperation involved joint investigations in 2018 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held, but there are still necessary procedures such as additional detailed investigations, establishment of basic plans, design, and commencement of construction," explaining the situation.

The government is reportedly preparing a list of equipment and materials to be deployed for additional detailed investigations related to the inter-Korean railway connection project.

Lee Soo-hyuk, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, said at a press briefing held at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington DC on the same day, "The main principle of the projects promoted by the government is to do what can be done within the framework of international sanctions to the maximum extent possible," adding, "Since this is the most time-consuming issue, it must be urgently promoted, and I believe the inter-Korean railway connection project is something that can be done."

Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, also appeared at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting on the 9th and said regarding the inter-Korean railway and road connection projects, "We are preparing for detailed investigations following the first survey," and noted that it would be possible if the exemption procedures from the UN Security Council's sanctions committee are followed.

Earlier, President Moon Jae-in emphasized inter-Korean cooperation such as cooperation in border areas, inter-Korean railway and road connection projects, and the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism in his New Year's address and press conference this year. On the 17th, news also emerged that the government is considering a plan to fully allow individual tourism to North Korea.

The railway and road connection and modernization projects held a groundbreaking ceremony after a joint inter-Korean investigation of the railway and road conditions in North Korea in 2018, but there has been no further progress. Even during the joint investigation at that time, the UN Security Council's exemption procedures were followed for the export of various items such as fuel through the US-ROK working group.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on the 22nd that a propaganda poster embodying the 'Direct Assault Battle' ideology presented at the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party has been produced. The photo shows the new propaganda poster released on the KCNA website, featuring the red flag of the marching unit emphasizing the 'Baekdusan Spirit.'

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility suggested by Joo Yong-chul, counselor at the North Korean Mission in Geneva, on the 21st (local time) of withdrawing the moratorium on nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, the Ministry of Unification remained reserved.

The spokesperson said, "The government does not evaluate or comment on remarks made by North Korean officials at international meetings," adding, "We see such remarks as being made in the context of the results of the Workers' Party plenary meeting at the end of last year."

Regarding Vice Minister Seo Ho's first visit this year to the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, the Ministry of Unification explained it as part of routine duties.

The spokesperson said, "The Vice Minister of Unification visits in the capacity of the South Korean chief of the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office," adding, "He will visit on the 22nd to check the progress of work and encourage the staff on site in celebration of the Lunar New Year."

He added, "Since the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office is shared by personnel from both South and North Korea in the same building, routine contact with North Korean officials naturally occurs," but also said, "There will be no separate chief meeting as agreed with the North."

The Ministry of Unification also remained reserved on requests for information regarding the position changes of Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party Propaganda and Agitation Department, and Ri Son-gwon, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. The spokesperson said, "We are continuing to verify facts related to Ri Son-gwon's appointment and position changes," and added, "We are paying close attention to this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.