Ministry of Unification: "If North Korea Responds, Dialogue Is Possible Anytime... We Are Ready"

"Any Method, Any Time, We Are Ready"

President Moon Jae-in, in his New Year's address announced at the Blue House on the 11th, stated, "Our will to meet anytime, anywhere, and to communicate through non-face-to-face methods remains unchanged," urging North Korea to respond to dialogue with a progressive attitude once again.

The Ministry of Unification stated on the 12th that inter-Korean dialogue is possible at any time and in any form, as long as North Korea responds positively.

When asked about "what forms of dialogue are possible" in relation to President Moon Jae-in's non-face-to-face dialogue proposal to North Korea the previous day, a Ministry of Unification official replied, "If North Korea responds, dialogue between the two Koreas is possible in any form and at any time, and our government is prepared."

Regarding the expected conclusion of the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, the official predicted that it is nearing its end.

The official said, "At the current 8th Party Congress, the following have been addressed: ▲ report on the work of the Party Central Committee ▲ report on the work of the Party Central Inspection Commission ▲ amendments to the Party Charter ▲ election of the Party Central Leadership organs," adding, "Currently, only the adoption of the Party Congress resolution remains, so it is expected to conclude soon."

Regarding the omission of Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of General Secretary Kim Jong-un, from promotion and the rapid rise of Jo Yong-won, the Ministry expressed a position of monitoring their roles and developments.

The Ministry of Unification official said, "Kim Yo-jong was excluded from the list of candidate members of the Political Bureau, and I understand there are various assessments regarding changes in her status and role related to this," adding, "We are paying close attention to additional developments, such as any changes in her overall position in inter-Korean affairs."

He continued, "Jo Yong-won was elected as a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat, and member of the Central Military Commission at the 1st Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Party," and said, "We will closely observe his future roles and actions."

Meanwhile, in his New Year's address delivered at the Blue House on the 11th, President Moon emphasized, "Our will to meet anytime, anywhere, and to engage in dialogue even through non-face-to-face methods remains unchanged," urging North Korea once again to respond to dialogue with a progressive attitude.

President Moon's New Year's address that day placed more emphasis on reaffirming existing cooperation plans and the willingness to engage in dialogue rather than presenting new proposals to North Korea.

There was no direct response to the demands made by Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, at the 8th Party Congress for the import of advanced military equipment and the suspension of joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, which he stated were necessary to restore inter-Korean relations by "resolving fundamental issues first."

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