Kim Yeon-cheol "Reviewing Inter-Korean Summit Video Conference... No Unusual North Korean Activity" (Comprehensive)

Attendance at National Assembly: "Infodemic Phenomenon Related to Kim Jong-un's Personal Situation"
"If You Know a Little About North Korean Affairs, You Can Tell It's 'Fake News'"
"North Korean Media Suggest Normal State Affairs by Kim Jong-un"

Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, listens with a stern expression during the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.

Kim Yeon-cheol, Minister of Unification, said on the 28th that there are no unusual movements within North Korea regarding rumors about Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and that he would actively consider a video conference between the South and North Korean leaders.

At the plenary meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held at the National Assembly that day, Minister Kim said, "North Korean media have continued to report on Chairman Kim's work since the Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting on the 11th," adding, "This suggests normal state affairs are being conducted."

Chairman Kim delivered birthday tables to elderly people in his name on the 21st, and the next day sent a congratulatory message to the President of Syria. On the 26th, he expressed gratitude to workers in Samjiyon City, and the following day to workers in the Wonsan-Galma Coastal Tourist Area. The Workers' Party organ newspaper Rodong Sinmun also reported that "Chairman Kim sent a congratulatory message to the President of South Africa" on the same day.

Minister Kim repeatedly emphasized that there are no unusual movements within North Korea by citing these facts. He strongly refuted criticisms that the government is not properly grasping North Korean developments.

Lee Seok-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "When Kim Jong-il, former Chairman of the National Defense Commission, died, the National Intelligence Service at the time did not know at all and only found out after watching North Korean TV."

In response, Minister Kim said, "The intelligence capabilities then and now are very different," adding, "We now have intelligence capabilities to confidently say there are no unusual movements."

Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, is answering questions at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.

Minister Kim also outright denied some media reports that Chairman Kim underwent cardiovascular procedures at the Hyangsan Clinic in the Myohyangsan area.

He said, "The source of the U.S. CNN broadcast report raising concerns about Chairman Kim's health is Daily NK, which is logically difficult to accept," emphasizing, "Anyone who knows a little about North Korean affairs can quickly recognize it as fake news."

Daily NK, a domestic North Korea specialist media outlet, reported on the 20th that Chairman Kim underwent cardiovascular procedures at the Hyangsan Clinic in the Myohyangsan area on the 12th, and that doctors from Kim Man-yu Hospital participated in the surgery.

Minister Kim said, "I have never heard that Chairman Kim went to Hyangsan, and the Hyangsan Clinic is like a public health center, not a facility where procedures or surgeries can be performed," adding, "It is hard to accept that doctors from Kim Man-yu Hospital participated in procedures or surgeries."

Regarding the ongoing speculative reports about Chairman Kim, Minister Kim said, "This can be seen as an infodemic (a phenomenon where false information spreads rapidly like an epidemic, causing harm to individuals and society)," adding, "It is very regrettable."

Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, is responding at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.

Furthermore, Minister Kim said that beyond blocking rumors about Chairman Kim's health, a 'video conference between the South and North Korean leaders' could also be considered. This came in response to Rep. Won Hye-young of the Democratic Party of Korea raising the need for a video conference, citing the example of G20 leaders holding video conferences for international cooperation on COVID-19.

Minister Kim said, "Although the Inter-Korean Liaison Office temporarily withdrew from Kaesong, the military communication line is currently operational, and normal communication work is ongoing between the direct liaison offices (Seoul-Pyongyang)," adding, "I think there is a need for the proposed (South-North leaders') video conference, and additional investment is needed for this, so we will actively consider it."

Minister Kim clearly expressed his intention to promote inter-Korean cooperation projects to restart the Korean Peninsula peace process while dispelling rumors about Chairman Kim's health.

He said, "We will make multifaceted efforts to promote the resumption of inter-Korean relations and maintain momentum for denuclearization and a peace regime through stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation," and specifically announced plans to promote "comprehensive inter-Korean health and medical cooperation" beyond COVID-19 response.

He also said, "We will move away from simple unilateral support and seek sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation through collaboration with local governments, the private sector, and the international community," presenting ▲ connecting the Donghae Bukbu Line railway ▲ conducting a survey of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ▲ Panmunjom tours as "priority projects we can independently pursue."

Additionally, he emphasized establishing an institutional foundation for individual tourism to North Korea for separated families and domestic tourists, as well as the enactment and revision of related laws such as the 'Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act' and the 'Unification Economic Special Zone Act' through communication with the National Assembly.

Minister Kim said, "Regarding individual tourism projects, we will explore and promote (inter-Korean cooperation) projects that can be done considering current conditions and environments, and if necessary, actively consult with the United States."

He also quoted President Moon Jae-in, saying, "Rather than waiting for the environment to ripen, we must create an environment where we can solve problems by finding and doing as much as we can."

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