Lee In-young "Even if North Korea brings out nukes, we seek peace... Concern for North Korean residents' health due to COVID-19" (Comprehensive)

Minister of Unification Visits Seoul National Cemetery
"Those Who Call for Peace Even When Bombs Fall Are Just"
"Suspected COVID-19 Among Defectors Raises Concerns About North Korean Residents' Health"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is visiting the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 30th to pay respects and is being interviewed by the press afterwards. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 30th, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, said regarding North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's recent display of enhanced nuclear deterrence and nuclear state status, "The more North Korea talks about nuclear weapons or missiles, the more powerfully and intensely we must launch peace."

After paying respects at the Seoul National Cemetery that morning, Minister Lee told reporters, "Peace is a stronger military deterrent than nuclear weapons." He added, "I believe that only those who call for peace in the midst of a war where bombs are falling can be more just and legitimate," emphasizing, "In that sense, the desire for peace within our people is our strongest power and weapon."

Regarding calls to demand the repatriation of a defector, who is suspected to have defected to the North after being investigated by the police in South Korea on charges of sexual assault, he said, "An investigation is currently underway, and I believe the government should finalize its position once the investigation is complete."

He expressed concern about North Korea's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and conveyed condolences to the North Korean people. Recently, North Korea has taken measures such as completely locking down Kaesong City, suspecting a defector who recently crossed over to the North of being infected with COVID-19.

Minister Lee said, "We recognize the lockdown and quarantine measures centered on Kaesong City as a very serious situation and are closely monitoring it," adding, "Above all, we are worried that the health of North Korean residents may deteriorate and that their daily lives may become difficult and challenging."

He continued, "I want to offer comfort with a very sincere and warm heart and convey that sentiment," reiterating the willingness for inter-Korean health and medical cooperation. He said, "Whether in Kaesong or anywhere in the North, if there is any cooperation needed regarding COVID-19 prevention, we believe it should be done at any time," and added, "We are reviewing various situations and quietly preparing countermeasures."

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is writing in the guestbook after paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Minister Lee is scheduled to meet with related civil organizations on the 31st to prepare policies for inter-Korean health and medical cooperation.

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters on the 30th, "Minister Lee is scheduled to meet with executives of the Civil Society Council for Inter-Korean Cooperation in Health and Medical Fields (Bukminhyeop) at 10 a.m. on the 31st in the minister's office at the Government Seoul Office." Regarding the purpose of this meeting, the official explained, "Hearing direct field opinions from policy clients in the health and medical fields will help in formulating policies."

The official added, "Although not yet decided, the Pyongyang General Hospital in North Korea can naturally be included in health and medical cooperation with North Korea."

Minister Lee has described humanitarian issues as "food, illness, and seeing loved ones before death" even before his inauguration and has identified health and medical cooperation as one of the urgent tasks after taking office.

A guestbook entry written by Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, after paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, Minister Lee wrote in the guestbook at the National Cemetery on the same day, "We will open the path to unification and prosperity through peace and coexistence."

Minister Lee received his appointment letter from President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House main building the previous day and began his official duties starting with the visit to the National Cemetery.

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