Government Approves Export of 180 Million Won Worth of COVID Supplies to North Korea... Lee In-young Says "We Must Not Stop"

On the morning of the 21st, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, delivered a congratulatory speech at the Peaceful Unification Forum titled "75th Anniversary of Liberation, Roles and Tasks for Building a New Korean Peninsula."

A domestic private organization’s request for the export of protective suits against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to North Korea has been additionally approved.

Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, announced at a regular briefing on the 21st that the export of COVID-19 quarantine supplies worth 180 million won, requested by a private organization on the 12th, has been approved. Deputy spokesperson Cho said, "Protective suits are the main items, and all other items are also exempt from UN sanctions." However, she explained that the name of the organization carrying out the aid project to North Korea cannot be disclosed out of respect for the organization’s wishes.

Earlier, on the 6th, the Ministry of Unification also approved the export of masks worth 300 million won requested by a domestic private organization for a North Korea mask support project.

Regarding a question about whether the 'Kaesong Goryeo Insam Trading Company,' which is under review by the Ministry of Unification for approval of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, is on the North Korea sanctions list, Deputy spokesperson Cho replied, "Since this is classified information, I cannot comment on it here."

She added, "It is not true that the Ministry of Unification tried to pursue small-scale trade with companies violating sanctions," and emphasized, "The basic stance is to proceed without violating sanctions." It was reported that the National Intelligence Service informed the National Assembly Intelligence Committee the previous day that this company is on the North Korea sanctions list.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification plans to actively engage in humanitarian aid to North Korea. Minister of Unification Lee In-young said at the Peaceful Unification Forum commemorating the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day, "Medicines and supplies to heal the ailments of the elderly and children, as well as food support for women’s and children’s health, should never be halted for political reasons."

He mentioned that since his inauguration, he has started “small approvals” to send disinfectants, protective suits, and COVID-19 diagnostic kits to the North, and added, "I hope to now expand the scope of cooperation." He particularly emphasized that concrete cooperation plans will be developed in healthcare, joint quarantine, and climate environment sectors.

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