Lee In-young "Let's Exchange Baekdusan Water and Daedonggang Liquor for South Korean Rice and Medicine" (Comprehensive)

Unification Minister Nominee: "North Korea Sanctions Must Be Overcome with Imagination"
Reaffirms Intent to Promote Family Reunions and Individual Tours to Geumgangsan
"Personally Hope August ROK-US Joint Exercises Are Postponed"

Minister of Unification nominee Lee In-young is moving to a vehicle after finishing his statement on North Korea policy at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, said on the 21st, "We can try inter-Korean exchange and cooperation by trading North Korea's Geumgangsan and Baekdusan water, and Daedonggang liquor for our (South Korea's) rice or medicines in kind."

On the same day, Lee held a brief press conference at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, stating, "We can start inter-Korean trade on a small scale, and if the situation and conditions improve, we can develop it on a larger scale." Lee has emphasized 'creative solutions' for restoring inter-Korean relations.

Regarding concerns that inter-Korean exchange and cooperation may be difficult due to sanctions against North Korea, he stressed, "We must overcome this with new imagination." Lee said, "In a sense, we need to overcome (realistic constraints) through barter," adding, "In that regard, I hope we can promote small-scale trade in the humanitarian exchange and cooperation areas such as food and visual materials."

Although there are calls for cooperation with the United States, including the Korea-US Working Group, Lee emphasized that there is an independent space for inter-Korean relations. He said, "My consistent position is that we should distinguish and do what we can independently on our own judgment," adding, "For example, regarding humanitarian exchanges, we can proceed independently without going through the Working Group."

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, is making a statement on North Korea policy and other issues at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

◆ "Geumgangsan Tourism and Separated Families Reunion Should Take Place... Hope to Postpone Korea-US Joint Military Exercises"

Lee reaffirmed his intention to promote individual tourism to Geumgangsan. He said, "During the tenure of former Minister Kim Yeon-chul, the possibility of individual tourism to Geumgangsan was already mentioned," adding, "We can try to implement policies to open up Geumgangsan tourism and individual tourism."

He also reiterated his willingness for reunions of separated families. He said, "For elderly separated families, I think we can promote individual visits and mutual visits," adding, "I hope it will happen first in Geumgangsan, and if that is not possible, I will try to promote small-scale meetings at Panmunjom."

Regarding the Korea-US joint military exercises scheduled for August, he said, "Personally, I hope they will be postponed." While recognizing the realistic demands related to the return of wartime operational control, he also noted, "On the other hand, there are realistic constraints such as the COVID-19 pandemic." He added, "Considering the Ministry of National Defense's requests and the COVID-19 spread situation, I hope the Korea-US joint exercises will be judged strategically and flexibly."

Lee said, "If appointed as minister, I will pursue very bold changes in the Ministry of Unification," adding, "I will raise the status of the Ministry of Unification in the public and popular domain and establish its role as a central figure in the development of inter-Korean relations." He continued, "In pursuing unification policies, I will actively promote changes that our people can sympathize with and that the United States can trust."

◆ "Clarified Major Suspicions Regarding Son's Military Service and Study Abroad Privileges... My Wife Is an Excellent NGO Activist"

Ahead of the confirmation hearing on the 23rd, Lee actively clarified controversies regarding preferential treatment for his children and wife. He said, "Regarding my son's military service and study abroad issues, major suspicions have been clarified and dispelled." He added, "My wife is a very excellent non-governmental organization (NGO) activist, different from my political activities," and said, "I hope people also consider that my wife, son, and I are currently going through very difficult and hard times."

Lee In-young, the nominee for Minister of Unification, is making a statement on North Korea policy and other issues at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Meanwhile, Lee previously hinted at the idea of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation through barter in his written responses submitted to the National Assembly for the confirmation hearing. In the response, he stated that along with humanitarian cooperation, "we also plan to pursue mutually beneficial methods such as small-scale trade through barter of humanitarian supplies like medicines and food."

Regarding separated families, he revealed plans to negotiate with North Korea to promote reunions during Chuseok this year, marking the 20th anniversary of separated families reunions. He said, "If large-scale reunions in Geumgangsan are difficult due to the COVID-19 situation, we will consider small-scale meetings of 10 families each at Panmunjom and start with video reunions and exchanging video letters that can be implemented immediately."

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