Unification Ministry: "North Korea Vaccine Talks Require Public Support... Expansion of Gwangmyeongseongjeol Event Scale" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 16th, the Ministry of Unification stated regarding the issue of supporting North Korea with COVID-19 vaccines, "We will discuss it when we can gain national support." It explained that the Gwangmyeongseongjeol (Kim Jong-il's birthday) event was somewhat expanded compared to last year.

A Ministry of Unification official said to reporters asking whether they had discussed the issue of COVID-19 vaccine support to North Korea with other ministries, "At this stage, there has been no specific review," and made the statement.

In addition, due to the easing of COVID-19 social distancing, they announced that they will consult with the UN Command to announce the resumption schedule of the Panmunjom tour program, which was suspended in December last year. They are also partially adjusting the visitor limits at facilities such as Odusan Unification Observatory, Imjingak Peace Nuri Park Abductee Memorial Hall, and the South-North Integrated Culture Center, and are considering operating small-scale face-to-face programs.

Meanwhile, despite it being Gwangmyeongseongjeol day, there were no notable large events. Regarding this, a Ministry of Unification official said, "The scale of this year's event has somewhat expanded compared to last year," and "Last year, the Gwangmyeongseongjeol event was held on the smallest scale since Kim Jong-il's assumption of power."

This change is likely due to internal adjustments in quarantine guidelines. The official said, "According to reports from Chosun Central TV and others, it can be confirmed that quarantine rules such as wearing masks during viewing and maintaining distance between seats are being observed to some extent."

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