Lee In-young at Panmunjom: "US Presidential Election Result, the Beginning of a New Situation"

Opening Ceremony of the Panmunjom Tour Support Center

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering opening remarks at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee during the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Unification and others held on the 8th of last month. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, said on the 4th, "The result of the U.S. presidential election is highly likely to mark the beginning of a new (Korean Peninsula) situation," adding, "We are fully prepared to steadily advance the Korean Peninsula peace process regardless of the circumstances."

Minister Lee made these remarks during a meeting with reporters at the opening ceremony of the 'Panmunjom Tour Support Center' held at Panmunjom in the morning, in response to a question about the prospects for the Korean Peninsula situation after the U.S. presidential election.

Inter-Korean relations are also expected to reach a turning point. Minister Lee stated, "North Korea may change the status quo through major political events such as the Party Foundation Day on October 10, the U.S. presidential election on November 3, and the 8th Party Congress in January next year," adding, "The government has been paying attention to these aspects and so far, the situation seems more likely to improve rather than worsen or lead to a catastrophe."

However, Minister Lee noted, "It does not immediately show a clear possibility of improving inter-Korean relations," and added, "We are making efforts to improve inter-Korean relations and create a flow of peace by considering both aspects to the best of our ability."

Regarding media reports that Minister Lee is planning a visit to the U.S. after the presidential election, he was reserved. When asked whom he plans to meet in the U.S., he replied, "I need to assess the situation before making a decision."

Meanwhile, tours of Panmunjom, which were suspended in October last year due to the spread of COVID-19 and African Swine Fever (ASF), will resume from the 4th.

The Ministry of Unification plans to start tours for about 80 participants, including general citizens and members of the press, following the opening ceremony of the Panmunjom Tour Support Center. Tour participants will visit in the order of Freedom House → T2 (Military Armistice Commission meeting room) → the commemorative tree planting site of the 2018 inter-Korean summit → the Wooden Bridge → the memorial monument for the late Sergeant Jang Myung-gi.

Last year, tours were held four times a day with 80 people per session, but with the resumption after 13 months, the number has been reduced to twice a day with 40 people per session due to COVID-19. Initially, tours were planned for only five days in November, but due to high interest with all 400 spots filled on the first day of applications, six additional days were added. The additional 480 spots were also filled within 2 to 3 days.

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