Government: "Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Help Promote Peace on the Korean Peninsula"

Ministry of Unification: "Amending the Exchange and Cooperation Act Does Not Mean Accelerating Inter-Korean Relations"

Yeosang-gi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification

The government, which is undertaking institutional improvements to revitalize inter-Korean cooperation projects, including amending the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, stated on the 1st that "inter-Korean exchange and cooperation is considered to be an effort that improves inter-Korean relations and contributes to the promotion of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Yeosang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said, "(The government) decided to push for the amendment of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act because this year marks the 30th anniversary of the law's enactment, and the intention is to comprehensively review the structural aspects contained in the law so far, and to legislate and upgrade matters currently stipulated by notification, thereby creating a new framework."

However, in response to a question suggesting that the amendment of the Exchange and Cooperation Act might accelerate inter-Korean relations too quickly, the spokesperson replied, "The amendment of the Exchange and Cooperation Act does not mean suddenly speeding up inter-Korean relations."

He explained, "Since its enactment in 1990, the Exchange and Cooperation Act has institutionally supported bilateral exchange and cooperation between the two Koreas for 30 years, but currently, there are many issues to be resolved, including sanctions against North Korea, for North Korea to engage in economic activities in our regions."

Meanwhile, the government announced on the 26th of last month that it plans to prepare and promote government legislation for the amendment of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act.

According to the amendment, from now on, when contacting North Korean residents for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, only a 'report' is required, and contact procedures with the North will be simplified, such as excluding separated families contacting their North Korean relatives or accidental meetings with North Korean residents from the reporting requirements.

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