Government Targets Lee, Saying "Some Local Governments Recklessly Pursue Inter-Korean Projects"

Ministry of Unification Emphasizes Principles to Local Officials Responsible for Inter-Korean Exchanges
Suspicions of Ssangbangwool's North Korea Remittance... Lee Jae-myung Faces Upcoming Prosecutor Investigation

The government called in the heads of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation from local governments and emphasized the orderly promotion of projects. In particular, it pointed out that 'some local governments' caused negative effects due to reckless projects related to North Korea, which is interpreted as a veiled criticism of the North Korea-related projects promoted by Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province. Lee is currently facing a prosecution investigation over the 'Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance suspicion.'

Moon Seung-hyun, Vice Minister of Unification, stated in his opening remarks at the Local Governments Inter-Korean Exchange Policy Council held at the Government Seoul Office on the 1st, "The government will ensure that inter-Korean exchange and cooperation are conducted in an orderly manner within the framework of laws and principles to secure the sustainability of exchange and cooperation and to build a trusting relationship that benefits both sides."

Moon Seung-hyun, Deputy Minister of Unification, is delivering a welcoming speech at the Local Government Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council held at the Seoul Government Complex on the 1st. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Vice Minister Moon emphasized, "Most of the North Korean institutions and organizations participating in inter-Korean exchanges are related to the North Korean authorities," adding, "For this reason, prior and post consultations with the government are important for inter-Korean exchanges involving local governments." He particularly pointed out, "Some local governments have competitively pushed forward reckless North Korea-related projects that did not meet the public's expectations," and noted, "There is also a concern that the promotion of exchange and cooperation itself became the goal, and that showy cooperation resulted in more negative effects than positive ones."

This criticism is interpreted as targeting the North Korea policy during the Moon Jae-in administration, which actively pushed for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. Among the problematic cases, the 'Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance suspicion' involving Lee Jae-myung is that Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Ssangbangwool Group, paid $8 million to North Korea in 2019 on behalf of the province under the request of Lee Hwa-young, then Gyeonggi Province Peace Deputy Governor, for purposes such as smart farm development and the governor's visit to North Korea. The prosecution recently registered Lee, who was the governor at the time, on charges of bribery by a third party, believing he was involved in the matter.

Moon Seung-hyun, Deputy Minister of Unification, is delivering opening remarks at the Local Government Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council held at the Seoul Government Complex on the 1st. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Vice Minister Moon also said, "The government is improving the exchange and cooperation system and strengthening prior and post management with the goal of establishing an order of exchange and cooperation based on laws and principles," adding, "There are claims that establishing order stifles exchange and cooperation, but let me be clear, that is not the case." He also urged each local government to pay special attention to 'North Korean human rights.'

Meanwhile, the Local Governments Inter-Korean Exchange Policy Council is a body for consultation and coordination of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects by local governments. Since its formation in September 2017, it has been held seven times in total. Under the Yoon Seok-youl administration, a written meeting was held once last year, and this was the first face-to-face meeting.

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