Ministry of Unification "Considering manpower and facility support for Pyongyang hospital construction at study level"

"Not a Review of Specific Implementation Stages"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un conducted an on-site inspection of the Pyongyang General Hospital construction site, reported the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th. Chairman Kim criticized the construction union executive, stating that "there has been serious deviation in the policy regarding equipment and material supply" and that "various support projects are actually imposing burdens on the people," according to KCNA. Vice Chairmen of the Party Pak Pong Ju and Pak Tae Song, as well as Premier Kim Jae Ryong, accompanied him on this inspection.

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, emphasized the need for health and medical cooperation with North Korea, and the Ministry of Unification announced on the 20th that it is reviewing the matter at the study (research) level.

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, in response to a question about whether they are considering ways to support personnel and facilities related to the construction of the Pyongyang General Hospital in North Korea, "We are reviewing various options at the study level." However, he added, "It is not at the stage of concrete implementation."

Earlier, in a written response to the personnel hearing submitted to the office of Kim Young-ho, a member of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the nominee specifically mentioned the Pyongyang General Hospital and emphasized the urgency of health and medical cooperation between the South and the North. In the response, he stated, "Inter-Korean consultations to improve hospital facilities and medical personnel, such as the Pyongyang General Hospital, which is of high interest to North Korea, are also urgent tasks."

Regarding the demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office in Kaesong by North Korea, the government reaffirmed a cautious response policy.

Spokesperson Yeo said, "It is clear that various measures must be reviewed to compensate for the damage on our side caused by the demolition of the liaison office, and multiple reviews have been conducted twice a day so far," but added, "Due to the special nature of inter-Korean relations, there are inevitably limits to resolving the issue through judicial procedures such as claims for damages."

He added, "The government will promptly resume inter-Korean dialogue and continue efforts for a practical resolution of related issues."

Regarding allegations of preferential treatment for the nominee’s children that surfaced ahead of Lee’s confirmation hearing, the nominee is expected to directly address the related matters during the hearing.

Spokesperson Yeo said, "The nominee’s side currently has no position regarding (the nominee’s children)," and added, "I understand that the nominee’s side will probably explain the details during the upcoming hearing."

In the confirmation hearing for the nominee, which is just three days away, disputes and moral controversies surrounding various preferential treatments for the nominee’s child, A, are expected. Key issues include whether there was any 'parental advantage' in securing funds for A’s studies in Switzerland and in the selection process, and whether the military exemption process was appropriate. There are also allegations that A manufactured and sold alcoholic beverages without a license.

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