Cheong "Have not heard about special envoy dispatch, summit meeting remains valid"

Inter-Korean Summit Proposal Already Made... Cheong Discloses Inter-Korean Cooperation Projects, Hints at Additional Initiatives

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] The Blue House has drawn a line regarding the suggestion from some political circles to dispatch a special envoy to North Korea as a solution to improving inter-Korean relations. However, it stated that the proposal for an inter-Korean summit remains valid.

A senior Blue House official said on the 16th, "We have not heard about the dispatch of a special envoy. The summit proposal is still valid." Regarding the meaning of "the summit is valid," the official added, "The proposal has already been made."

Regarding the additional movements from the North Korean military following President Moon Jae-in's message on the 15th, the Blue House said, "We understand that the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of National Defense have already expressed their positions," and added, "The government is exercising restraint and speaking with a unified voice," withholding further comments.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Blue House left room for the possibility of additional aspects regarding the inter-Korean cooperation projects emphasized by President Moon, noting that some details have already been made public.

A senior Blue House official said, "Regarding inter-Korean cooperation projects, President Moon presented possible cooperative efforts between the two Koreas in his New Year's address this year. In the Q&A following his third anniversary special speech, he also mentioned some examples," adding, "In the New Year's address, he proposed projects such as connecting railroads and roads between the two Koreas, transforming the Demilitarized Zone into a peace zone, resuming the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism, and jointly hosting the 2030 Olympics."

The senior Blue House official continued, "After the third anniversary special speech, in the Q&A session, he also mentioned the inter-Korean railroad issue, the international peace zone in the Demilitarized Zone, and individual tourism," adding, "We have not withdrawn our proposals. Of course, inter-Korean cooperation projects are not limited to these. It will depend on the situation."

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