Lee In-young Actively Responded to 'North Korea Nuclear Plant Suspicion'... "There Was Not Even the Word 'Nuclear Plant'" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young dismissed the controversy over 'North Korean nuclear power plants,' stating that the materials related to the New Economic Map for the Korean Peninsula do not include any content about nuclear power plants.

On the 1st, Minister Lee appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and said, "We urgently reviewed the approximately 40-page document related to the New Economic Map for the Korean Peninsula, but there was not a single mention of nuclear power plants."

This was a clarification regarding some reports that claimed the 'New Economic Map for the Korean Peninsula' file, which President Moon Jae-in handed to Chairman Kim Jong-un via USB during the April 27, 2018 inter-Korean summit, contained content related to nuclear power plants.

Minister Lee said, "Although my knowledge as the Minister of Unification may be limited, as the Unification Ministry is the general department discussing the New Economic Map, there has never been any discussion about building nuclear power plants in North Korea under any circumstances," adding, "From a politician’s perspective rather than as a minister, I can only think that the opposition party is doing this because of the election."

He added, "In fact, every time there is an election, the opposition party has often intensified their attacks using terms like 'North wind,' 'left-wing,' or 'leftist,'" and said, "There are many aspects of this that are politically motivated, which is my personal view as a politician."

When asked by reporters at the Ministry of Unification in the afternoon whether the New Economic Map included other contents such as renewable energy, Minister Lee refrained from commenting, saying, "Please respect the fact that procedures and contents related to the summit have not been disclosed so far due to diplomatic conventions and national interests."

He expressed optimism about inter-Korean relations. Minister Lee said, "Since last September, there have been exchanges of letters between the South and North Korean leaders, and during the West Sea public official shooting incident, the North unusually conveyed an apology quickly. Also, in the speech at the military parade, they sent a conciliatory message toward the Republic of Korea," adding, "In that context, there has been a significant possibility that inter-Korean relations could shift back to a conciliatory phase."

He also interpreted Chairman Kim’s remark at the 8th Party Congress that "things could return to the spring days three years ago" as an indication that North Korea is open to dialogue and willing to engage.

Regarding the March South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises demanded by the North, he said, "Personally, as a politician, if postponing the military exercises can open the way for improved inter-Korean relations, I think choosing that direction would also benefit national interests," and added, "I believe there is room to handle the March situation more flexibly and wisely, rather than with conflict or tension."

He emphasized that Japan could also use the Tokyo Olympics as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the Korean Peninsula issue. Minister Lee said, "If I were Prime Minister Suga, I would wisely use the Tokyo Olympics as a turning point to improve relations with North Korea and resolve Japan’s longstanding issues."

He also expressed the Ministry of Unification’s intention to make good use of the six months during which the Biden administration’s initial policy team is being formed. Minister Lee said, "Our goal is to restore inter-Korean relations in the first half of this year and to get the Korean Peninsula peace process on track in the second half. We are approaching this very actively," calling it a "hit-and-run type plan."

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