Lee In-young "Let's Allow Free Movement Between South and North at Panmunjom and Hold Reunions for Separated Families"

Opening Ceremony Speech at Panmunjom Tour Support Center
Repeated Proposal to Restore Inter-Korean Communication Channels
"Let Us Redesign a New Era of Peace Between South and North Korea"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is giving an interview at Panmunjom on September 16, at the site where the inter-Korean leaders planted commemorative trees.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young proposed on the 4th that North Korea restore free movement between the South and North at Panmunjom, reunions for separated families at Panmunjom, and the restoration of inter-Korean communication channels.

At the opening ceremony of the 'Panmunjom Tour Support Center' held at Panmunjom that morning, Minister Lee said in his congratulatory speech, "I hope the frozen inter-Korean relations will thaw. I would like to propose 'three small steps' toward peace here at Panmunjom."

First, Minister Lee proposed the restoration of communication channels between the South and North.

He said, "I hope the communication between the South's 'Freedom House' and the North's 'Panmungak,' which is currently unresponsive, will be restored."

He continued, "I also hope the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office will be restored and restarted as soon as possible," adding, "Establishing a permanent communication channel will be fundamental to restoring inter-Korean relations."

Secondly, Minister Lee proposed free movement between the South and North within Panmunjom.

He said, "In 2018, President Moon Jae-in already took a step across the inter-Korean border, and through the September 19 Military Agreement, the South and North agreed on free movement," adding, "It is time to turn that step across the border into a path of peace where many people can freely come and go."

He added, "Since we have achieved denuclearization together, I hope we can find ways to freely cross the border within the Panmunjom area."

Lastly, Minister Lee proposed reunions for separated families through Panmunjom.

He said, "Considering the desperate longing of separated families who pass away every year yearning to see their loved ones, even small-scale reunions at Panmunjom must be resumed."

He emphasized, "If it is difficult due to the COVID-19 situation, it should be pursued through untact methods such as video reunions and letter exchanges."

Minister Lee added, "I hope these small efforts will accumulate and finally bring about a historic moment here at Panmunjom to mark the end of division."

Meanwhile, Panmunjom tours, 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. The tour participants will visit in order: Freedom House → T2 (Military Armistice Commission meeting room) → the commemorative tree planting site of the 2018 inter-Korean summit → the footbridge → the memorial monument for the late Sergeant Jang Myung-gi.

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