Lee In-young: "If North Korea Responds, Family Reunion via Video Call and Video Letters Can Be Arranged Immediately" (Comprehensive)

Minister of Unification Visits Panmunjom for the First Time Since Inauguration
"Panmunjom Tours Possible When COVID Restrictions Ease"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young, who visited Panmunjom, waves his hand toward North Korea's Panmungak from the south side of the Military Demarcation Line in Panmunjom, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 16th.

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, stated on the 16th that all preparations for separated families' video reunions and video letter exchanges have been completed, and if the North responds positively, these can be implemented at any time, urging the North to reciprocate.

Ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration, Minister Lee visited Panmunjom for the first time since his appointment and said, "The government intends to proceed with 'small approaches' in humanitarian and exchange cooperation areas that can be immediately undertaken by both Koreas to implement the Inter-Korean Joint Declaration."

Regarding questions about promoting separated families' reunions before Chuseok, Minister Lee said, "There does not seem to be much time left for reunions to take place through Mount Kumgang or Panmunjom," but added, "I believe opportunities for video reunions can be created if there is the will." He continued, "If even that is not possible, I think we can create opportunities to exchange video letters," and said, "We cautiously express our intention in this regard." He emphasized, "Everything is prepared to be implemented immediately if the North responds positively."

Minister Lee also urged the North to implement the Inter-Korean Joint Declaration, saying, "If the COVID-19 situation eases, we will promptly resume Panmunjom tours and the DMZ Peace Trail starting from October."

Quoting the Latin phrase "Pacta Sunt Servanda," a fundamental principle of civil and international law meaning "agreements must be kept," Minister Lee expressed his expectation that the North would respond to implement the Inter-Korean Joint Declaration.

He said, "The demolition of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office was certainly regrettable," but added, "I believe the North also has a will to abide by agreements to some extent." Regarding North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's order to suspend military actions against the South, he said, "It is judged as an effort to prevent further escalation of tensions."

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, who visited Panmunjom, is inspecting the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 16th.

Minister Lee expressed hope that "consultation channels, including the Inter-Korean Liaison Office, will be restored soon and frank dialogue will resume," emphasizing, "To complete the decisions of the leaders on both sides and restart 'Korean Peninsula time,' joint efforts between the two Koreas must continue."

While acknowledging the deadlock in North Korea-US relations, he said, "I believe there are many areas where the two Koreas must find solutions together." He added, "Humanitarian cooperation in healthcare, quarantine, and climate environment sectors should continue annually at a certain scale regardless of the situation, based on communication between South Korea and the US, so that South Korea, North Korea, and the US can build mutual trust."

Additionally, Minister Lee mentioned the flood situation in North Korea and called for solidarity and cooperation between the two Koreas. He said, "We feel regret for the damage caused by floods on the North side as much as on our side," and added, "I hope that at an appropriate time, mutual solidarity and cooperation can be realized."

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