President Moon’s First Day Schedule in Pyeongyang Begins
The following is a briefing given this afternoon by Yoon Young-chan, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Communication.
I understand that fierce competition among reporters for news coverage is unavoidable, but it is also true that we all share the same desire for a successful outcome during this summit. Please work with us, and we will work hard to support you in every way we can.
I would like to confirm a few things. Today, we saw many “firsts” in the history of inter-Korean relations. This is Chairman Kim Jong Un’s first summit meeting in Pyeongyang even though he has met with heads of state in China and Singapore before. Thus, this was the first time that North Korea’s leader and his wife both came to the airport to welcome another head of state. Such warm hospitality is rare during any summit meeting.
President Moon and Chairman Kim reviewed the military honor guard representing the DPRK Army and Navy as well as the Korean People’s Army Air and Anti-Air Force (KPAAF). The two leaders ascended the platform to watch the honor guard march by.
There was a question concerning the music played during the welcoming ceremony at the airport. It was ceremonial music used for the supreme leader of North Korea.
In addition, the scene of the two leaders entering the Baekhwawon State Guesthouse, the residence for major state guests, was broadcast live, which is also unprecedented.
I would like to give additional information regarding the afternoon schedule. As announced this morning, President Moon and Chairman Kim will have a summit. It will take place in the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and be covered by a pool of videographers, photographers and print journalists. They will only be allowed to cover the two leaders’ initial meeting; they cannot enter the conference room. This will also be the first time that an inter-Korean summit is held in a building belonging to the Workers' Party of Korea.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook will visit Okryu Children’s Hospital at 2:30 pm, and Chairman Kim’s wife Ri Sol Ju will likely accompany her. The First Lady is scheduled to sign the guestbook, and I expect that they will visit an X-ray or CT scanning facility in the hospital. Then, both are likely to drop by a physical education room to chat with the children and take part in some simple exercises. As you may already know, they share a common interest as they were both music majors.
After visiting the hospital, First Lady Kim will visit the Kim Won Gyun University of Music along with South Korean composer Kim Hyeog-seok and singers Ailee and ZICO. After being received by Choe Tae Yong, President of the University, the First Lady will observe how classes are conducted. She is also expected to watch a performance by an orchestra in the university concert hall, but there could be some change in the schedule.
Apart from President Moon’s schedule, the special delegation accompanying the President will be received by Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, beginning at 3:30 pm, and the business leaders and heads of public corporations will sit down with Ri Ryong Nam, Vice Premier of North Korea. The heads of three South Korean political parties are expected to meet with Ahn Dong Chun, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly. The civic group heads are scheduled to meet with Kim Yong Dae, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party.
After the summit, President Moon, First Lady Kim and the South Korean delegation will watch a performance of the Samjiyon Orchestra at the Pyeongyang Grand Theater in Yeokjeon-dong, Jung-guyeok District, Pyeongyang, on the bank of the Daedonggang River. And then there will be a welcoming dinner at Mokran House, a banquet hall in Jung-guyeok exclusively for high-ranking North Korean officials and foreign dignitaries. The dinner will be attended by every delegation member from South Korea, including the official, special, and general delegates. It is scheduled to end at 9:00 pm, but the schedule is subject to change.
The press pool in Pyeongyang will cover the afternoon schedule.
(Unofficial Translation)
I understand that fierce competition among reporters for news coverage is unavoidable, but it is also true that we all share the same desire for a successful outcome during this summit. Please work with us, and we will work hard to support you in every way we can.
I would like to confirm a few things. Today, we saw many “firsts” in the history of inter-Korean relations. This is Chairman Kim Jong Un’s first summit meeting in Pyeongyang even though he has met with heads of state in China and Singapore before. Thus, this was the first time that North Korea’s leader and his wife both came to the airport to welcome another head of state. Such warm hospitality is rare during any summit meeting.
President Moon and Chairman Kim reviewed the military honor guard representing the DPRK Army and Navy as well as the Korean People’s Army Air and Anti-Air Force (KPAAF). The two leaders ascended the platform to watch the honor guard march by.
There was a question concerning the music played during the welcoming ceremony at the airport. It was ceremonial music used for the supreme leader of North Korea.
In addition, the scene of the two leaders entering the Baekhwawon State Guesthouse, the residence for major state guests, was broadcast live, which is also unprecedented.
I would like to give additional information regarding the afternoon schedule. As announced this morning, President Moon and Chairman Kim will have a summit. It will take place in the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and be covered by a pool of videographers, photographers and print journalists. They will only be allowed to cover the two leaders’ initial meeting; they cannot enter the conference room. This will also be the first time that an inter-Korean summit is held in a building belonging to the Workers' Party of Korea.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook will visit Okryu Children’s Hospital at 2:30 pm, and Chairman Kim’s wife Ri Sol Ju will likely accompany her. The First Lady is scheduled to sign the guestbook, and I expect that they will visit an X-ray or CT scanning facility in the hospital. Then, both are likely to drop by a physical education room to chat with the children and take part in some simple exercises. As you may already know, they share a common interest as they were both music majors.
After visiting the hospital, First Lady Kim will visit the Kim Won Gyun University of Music along with South Korean composer Kim Hyeog-seok and singers Ailee and ZICO. After being received by Choe Tae Yong, President of the University, the First Lady will observe how classes are conducted. She is also expected to watch a performance by an orchestra in the university concert hall, but there could be some change in the schedule.
Apart from President Moon’s schedule, the special delegation accompanying the President will be received by Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, beginning at 3:30 pm, and the business leaders and heads of public corporations will sit down with Ri Ryong Nam, Vice Premier of North Korea. The heads of three South Korean political parties are expected to meet with Ahn Dong Chun, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly. The civic group heads are scheduled to meet with Kim Yong Dae, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party.
After the summit, President Moon, First Lady Kim and the South Korean delegation will watch a performance of the Samjiyon Orchestra at the Pyeongyang Grand Theater in Yeokjeon-dong, Jung-guyeok District, Pyeongyang, on the bank of the Daedonggang River. And then there will be a welcoming dinner at Mokran House, a banquet hall in Jung-guyeok exclusively for high-ranking North Korean officials and foreign dignitaries. The dinner will be attended by every delegation member from South Korea, including the official, special, and general delegates. It is scheduled to end at 9:00 pm, but the schedule is subject to change.
The press pool in Pyeongyang will cover the afternoon schedule.
(Unofficial Translation)
