Kang Kyung-hwa: "We Will Consider Mask Production at Kaesong Industrial Complex, but Sanctions Are an Issue"

Attendance at the National Assembly: "The Issue of North Korea Sanctions Must Be Discussed First"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is speaking at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.

Regarding the proposal to produce masks at the Kaesong Industrial Complex and support countries vulnerable to COVID-19, including North Korea, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha expressed a cautious stance on the 28th, stating that while she would consider it, North Korea sanctions must be taken into account.

At the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly that day, Minister Kang said about mask production at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, "We will consider it, but the issue of operating the Kaesong Industrial Complex must be discussed in light of North Korea sanctions first."

This was in response to a question from Lee Seok-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asking how she viewed the 'mask production at the Kaesong Industrial Complex.'

Rep. Lee said, "The international community recognizes the need for mass supply of masks in response to COVID-19, and especially countries like North Korea and developing countries need masks. Supplying masks to such places is appropriate from a humanitarian aid perspective and can serve as an opportunity to open inter-Korean dialogue and restore relations."

Minister Kang said, "The United States also supports humanitarian aid to North Korea related to COVID-19 and has publicly expressed willingness to cooperate," but added, "The issue of restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex is another matter," showing a cautious stance.

Meanwhile, since March, there have been calls to produce masks at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, but the U.S. Department of State has consistently emphasized the need to enforce North Korea sanctions. On the 13th of last month (local time), the U.S. Department of State stated, "All UN member states must implement the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions."

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