Ministry of Unification: "Difficult to Predict the Intent Behind North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly Meeting"

"Private Sector Inquiries for North Korea Aid Received but Requirements Not Met"

Yeosang-gi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification

On the 27th, the Ministry of Unification stated that it is difficult to make assumptions about the background of North Korea's decision to hold the Supreme People's Assembly next month, where large crowds will gather, amid its all-out efforts to combat the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi responded to a question regarding "North Korea's intention in holding the Supreme People's Assembly" by saying, "North Korea has held the Supreme People's Assembly around April every year, with budget-related resolutions, and last year, Chairman Kim Jong-un attended and gave a speech," adding, "It seems difficult to predict what will be discussed at this year's Supreme People's Assembly, so we need to wait and see."

Attention is focused on the background of North Korea holding a large-scale political event where hundreds or thousands of people gather, while conducting extensive quarantine activities to prevent COVID-19. Some analysts suggest that since North Korea claims there are no COVID-19 infections, this may reflect confidence in their quarantine activities and achievements.

In response, spokesperson Yeo said, "It seems somewhat inappropriate to evaluate the relationship between holding the Supreme People's Assembly and confidence in quarantine."

Usually, registration of delegates for the Supreme People's Assembly is done 2 to 3 days in advance, but this time, the registration on the day itself is notable.

Regarding related questions, spokesperson Yeo replied, "Around the world, not only political events but all events are conducted with quarantine measures related to COVID-19, so (delegate registration) should be seen in that context."

The North Korean Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 27th that "construction achievements are expanding throughout Samjiyon City." The photo shows the construction site featured on the front page of the newspaper.

Earlier, on the 21st, North Korea's state media Korean Central News Agency reported that the 3rd session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly will be convened in Pyongyang on the 10th of next month. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly announced this to the delegates in a public notice released the previous day, stating that delegate registration will also take place on April 10.

The Supreme People's Assembly is the highest sovereign body under North Korea's constitution, holding regular sessions around April each year to perform functions such as establishing basic principles of national policy including constitutional and legal amendments, appointing key national officials, and approving the budget.

North Korea usually holds the Supreme People's Assembly once a year, but exceptionally held it twice in 2012, 2014, and 2019.

Meanwhile, when asked whether there had been any consultations with North Korea or private organizations supporting North Korea regarding COVID-19 related diagnostic kits and quarantine support, spokesperson Yeo said, "There have been inquiries at the inquiry level from private organizations, but as far as I know, it has not progressed to the point of meeting specific requirements."

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