"Kim Jong-un Must Make a Wise Choice"…Statement from the Minister of Unification after 10 Years (Comprehensive)

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se, Issues Statement Condemning North Korea
"By Isolating Itself, It Will Face Greater Difficulties" Warning

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se issued a statement strongly condemning North Korea for refusing to engage in regular communication through inter-Korean contact channels. He also warned that all possible measures would be taken to hold North Korea accountable for unauthorized operation of South Korean companies' facilities within the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

Minister Kwon held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 11th, stating, "North Korea has consistently shown an insincere and uncooperative attitude toward inter-Korean communication, including refusing to accept our notifications. Moreover, since the 7th, they have not responded to regular calls between the inter-Korean joint liaison office and military communication lines without any explanation." He added, "The government expresses strong regret over North Korea's unilateral and irresponsible behavior."

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se held a press conference on the morning of the 11th at the Government Seoul Office Joint Briefing Room, announcing a statement regarding the inter-Korean communication line and the unauthorized operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He further emphasized, "Ultimately, North Korea will isolate itself and inevitably face even more difficult circumstances." This statement, issued under the name of the Minister of Unification, is the first in 10 years since Minister Ryu Gil-jae proposed a 'final ultimatum' style last meeting statement in July 2013 to resolve issues related to the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

Inter-Korean regular calls have been maintained through the joint liaison office and military communication lines in the morning and afternoon respectively, but North Korea has not responded for five consecutive days as of that morning. However, the statement released by Minister Kwon did not include any expression urging North Korea to respond to communication. This is interpreted as a resolve not to cling to North Korea, which unilaterally suspended contact.

Minister Kwon also strongly condemned North Korea's unauthorized use of South Korean companies' facilities within the Kaesong Industrial Complex. He said, "This violates the agreement on investment protection between the two Koreas and North Korea's Kaesong Industrial Zone Law," adding, "We strongly condemn these illegal acts and clearly state that all responsibility lies entirely with North Korea." He continued, "As previously announced, the government will take all possible measures, including legal actions, to hold North Korea accountable for these violations," warning, "We will also actively cooperate with the international community."

Minister Kwon Young-se briefing on the unauthorized operation of inter-Korean communication lines and Kaesong Industrial Complex
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding the background of issuing a statement directly under the name of the Minister of Unification for the first time in 10 years, Minister Kwon explained, "North Korea continues to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula," and "As the Minister of Unification, I have stepped forward hoping that North Korea abandons its wrong path and joins the flow of history." He reiterated, "North Korea's acts of escalating tension are detrimental not only to the entire Korean Peninsula but also to North Korea itself," and added, "This statement was issued in the hope of Chairman Kim Jong-un making a wise choice."

Regarding legal measures against North Korea's unauthorized use of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, he explained, "Although there is an agreement, it is true that there are considerable limitations in taking specific legal actions based on that agreement," and said that they are carefully reviewing what specific legal measures can be taken. On the issue of compensation demanded by Kaesong Industrial Complex companies, he said, "There is no concrete plan yet," but added, "We are once again looking into the difficult situation of the companies."

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