Spokesperson Baik Tae Hyun of the Ministry of Unification delivers the daily briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on Feb. 12. (Ministry of Unification)
By Kim Young Shin
The Ministry of Unification said that the recent visit by North Korea’s high-level delegation to the South “provided the opportunity to enhance the ongoing flow, to restore inter-Korean relations” and that it “emphasized the leading role of the two Koreas in resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula,” during a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on Feb. 12.
“It was the first time since the division of the Korean Peninsula that the constitutional head of North Korea and a lineal family member of North Korea’s supreme leader came to visit the South,” said Baik Tae Hyun, the ministry spokesperson. “This shows that North Korea has a strong will to improve inter-Korea relations.”
“If conditions are met in the future, the recent visit could be the starting point for comprehensive discussions between the two leaders on issues that pertain to the Korean Peninsula and to inter-Korea relations,” said Baik. “It shows that Pyongyang can make unprecedented and bold measures if deemed necessary.”
Prior to the briefing, the ministry released a statement titled “An explanation of the North Korean high-level delegation visit to the Republic of Korea” on Feb. 11. It said that, “North Korea’s response is a result of the consistent effort that the Moon Jae-in administration has made since its day of inauguration to restore inter-Korean relations and to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
It also said, “We also garnered wide support from the international community that the two Koreas should play a leading role as the parties directly involved in Korean Peninsula issues.”
“Under a situation in which opportunities and challenges toward peace on the Korean Peninsula coexist, it's necessary to lead the initiative in a proactive manner,” said the ministry. “The question at hand is whether or not we will be able to develop the avenues for dialogue and cooperation that were opened through the Olympics into a phase of better inter-Korea relations and peace establishment.”
Regarding the future of inter-Korea policies, the ministry said, “The government will modestly listen to the various concerns and opinions of the people in order to push forward a North Korea policy with which the Korean people can sympathize and support.”
Finally, it said, “Under the strong demand for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, Korea will faithfully implement international sanctions on North Korea, while adhering to the principles of resolution through peaceful means.”